The opening of the eighth edition of the Stars Route culinary festival will again take place in Funchal, for the first time with two host restaurants – Il Gallo d´Oro, of The Cliff Bay hotel (PortoBay Hotels & Resorts) and William, of the Belmond Reid’s Palace hotel (Belmond Ltd).
The Il Gallo d´Oro (2 Michelin stars) and William (1 Michelin star) come together at the iconic Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmer’s Market), in Funchal, to honour local products with a one-ofa-kind interpretation. The “Madeira Terroir” event is being held on 24 March at the fish market in the Mercado dos Lavradores, and offers a fusion of haute cuisine, oenology, music and performance. In a colourful, relaxed atmosphere, this buffet dinner offers a whole range of flavours spread over 18 stalls, bringing together over 20 chefs, most of them with a Michelin star.
In addition to Benoît Sinthon (Il Gallo d’Oro . Madeira . 2 Michelin stars) and Luís Pestana (William . Madeira . 1 Michelin star), “Madeira Terroir” will also feature Diego Guerrero (DStage . Madrid . 2 Michelin stars), Pepe Solla (Casa Solla . Valencia . 1 Michelin star), Javier Olleros (Culler de Pau . Galicia . 2 Michelin stars), Henrique Sá Pessoa (Alma . Lisbon . 1 Michelin star), Sergi Arola (LAB . Sintra . 1 Michelin star), Alexandre Silva (Loco . Lisbon . 1 Michelin star), Vítor Matos(Antiqvvm . Porto . 1 Michelin star), David Faure (Aphrodite . France), Paulo Morais(Rabo d’Pêxe . Lisbon), Olivier Barbarin (Château d’Audrieu . France), Claire Verneil (Consultant chef . France), Noélia (Noélia & Jerónimo . Tavira) and Paula Peliteiro (Sra Peliteiro . Esposende).
All of these guest chefs are joined by a team of chefs from PortoBay Hotels & Resorts and Belmond Reid´s Palace. Portugal’s best-known sommeliers will pay a tribute to Portuguese wines. In addition to the Madeira Terroir kick-off event, the brand of the Stars Route festival on Madeira Island will continue with an Il Gallo d´Oro event immediately afterwards from 25-28 March, and a William event from 23-24 June of this year. Since it began in 2010, the Stars Route has already brought more than 60 chefs of various nationalities to Madeira.
