Chef Louis Anjos takes the reins at Carvoeiro’s Michelin-starred Bon Bon restaurant
The only restaurant in the Carvoeiro area with a Michelin star, awarded in 2016, Bon Bon has placed the town firmly on the gastronomic map, and owner Nuno Diogo has plans to build on the reputation with important changes taking place this year. Exit chef Rui Silvestre, who has moved on to pursue his own projects, and enter one of Portugal’s most promising up-and-coming chefs, Louis Anjos.
Anjos, who until recently was executive chef at the Macdonald Monchique Resort & Spa, already has some impressive awards to his name, to which he plans to add retaining the star at Bon Bon in next year’s Michelin guide. After starting his Algarve career in the kitchens of Vila Vita Parc, he moved on to Suites Alba Resort & Spa, where his creative cooking saw him win the national Chef of the Year award (Chefe Cozinheiro do Ano) in 2012. Whilst at Macdonald Monchique, he gained recognition for the hotel’s Mon-Chic restaurant last year, winning the Revelation of the Year award from one Portugal’s most important gastronomic guides – Boa Cama Boa Mesa , published by Expresso newspaper.
Alongside him at Bon Bon is sous-chef Ricardo Silva Luz who, before working with Anjos in Monchique, already had Vila Vita Parc, the Penha Longa Resort and a spell at the old Tavares Rico restaurant in Lisbon, under Portugal’s most famous chef José Avillez, on his résumé.
Bon Bon’s kitchen is in very good hands and the team is making some changes that should be well received by customers. Most importantly, the restaurant has introduced an à la carte menu to operate alongside the tasting menu options. The restaurant is now also open on Saturdays and Sundays for lunch.
Text: Patrick Stuart