Carmen Santos
A native of O Porto, Portugal, Carmen began her cooking career in a rather informal way, by cooking at home. At the age of 16, she moved to Brazil, completed her education, and became a Fado singer. She gave up her singing career to get married and raise a family.
She married the owner of one of the restaurants where she used to perform, and soon became involved in menu planning and development. She took some cooking classes and began to take a hands-on approach in administering a group of 14 different restaurants. Setting her sights on newer horizons, Carmen emigrated to the United States in 1985 and became head chef at the Brazilian Consulate. From 1991 to 1994 she worked as Executive Chef at "O Páo", a small Portuguese restaurant in Soho. From 1995 to November 1999, Carmen created banquets and receptions in some on New York's most distinguished private homes. On December 1, 1999, she proudly opened the doors of Alfama, a restaurant "that will become a destination in itself in Greenwich Village."
Carmen says she views her work both as a culinary and cultural mission in the U.S. Through interpretation of Portuguese gastronomy and in a spirit of bold innovation, she presents modern adaptations of traditional Portuguese cuisine. Rooted in nearly 1,000 years of cooking history, her creations are carefully crafted to reflect contemporary culinary touches.
Chef's Recipes :
Chicken AlfamaCheck our Calendar to find out about Chef's Night Demos
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