The Algarve region is a gastronome’s playground, having has the highest number of Michelin Guide starts in the country.
An impressive total of seven of the 17 Michelin stars awarded this year to Portuguese restaurants are in the Algarve.
In the latest Michelin Guide, the Algarve holds on to its stars from last year and adds one, the São Gabriel restaurant in Almancil run by chef Leonel Pereira.
The 2015 guide lists the Ocean at Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa under chef Hans Neuner, and Vila Joya at Galé beach, directed by chef Dieter Koschina.
In Almancil there is the eponymous Henrique Leis and in Vilamoura Willie's makes the grade again under chef Willie Wurger.
The well fed president of the Algarve Tourism Board wrote to each of the winners expressing his "pride in their getting stars in the Michelin Guide 2015, the result of the work, effort, creativity and professionalism of the respective teams."
Desiderio Silva added that, "the recognition of the most important and influential gastronomic guide today is great news for the country and in particular to the Algarve as tourist destination that has sought to position itself for the excellence of its offer."
Portugal’s performance and listing in the 2015 Michelin Guide is the best ever with 14 restaurants listed and a total of 17 stars.
Side by side with this success is the poverty caused largely by the ongoing economic crisis in Portugal where the poor have got poorer and many are unable to afford to feed themselves.
There are many citizens now living in poverty, dependent on handouts from food banks and soup kitchens.
See a report below:
