The need to grow without losing that cosy, intimate feel has been brewing for a while – as Chefs on Fire picked up fans and took over more and more space at Fiartil – Estoril’s Craft Fair. Seven years on, the big move is here. At Parque Marechal Carmona there’s room for more people (up to 5,000 a day), more chefs, new chill-out zones, direct access to Santa Marta beach and plenty of fresh surprises.
🗞️ Did someone say surprises?
The new spot comes with new stages – one for industry talks (in partnership with Congresso de Cozinha, curated by Paulo Amado), one for makers and artisans (curated by Vânia Rodrigues of Projecto Matéria), and another dedicated to photography, curated by Arlindo Camacho.
Another first: the Fire School, led by chef Alexandre Silva, with workshops that dive deep into the ancient art of cooking with fire.
The Bites? Twenty restaurants dishing up the best plates the organisers tasted over the past year (the final line-up is still under wraps).
👨🏻🍳 Who’s cooking?
This year, expect 18 chefs each day (instead of the usual 10).
Saturday 20 September
- Meat dishes – Óscar Geadas (one star at G Pousada), João Correia (Rossio Gastrobar), Francesco Ogliari (Tua Madre), Hugo Candeias (Ofício) and Kiko Martins (O Talho).
- Fish dishes – Diogo Caetano (Terruja), Mónica Gomes (Olaias), Filipe Rodrigues (Taberna do Mar), Ana Moura (Lamelas) and Nikita Polido (Celmar).
- Vegetarian dishes – José Neves (Ciclo), Nelson Soares (Sult) and Nuno Castro (Fava Tonka).
- Desserts – Juliana Penteado (Juliana) and Sara Soares (Caos Vegetal).
Sunday 21 September
- Meat dishes – Carlos Teixeira (one star at Herdade do Esporão), Rodolfo Lavrador (one star at Cura), Ana Leão (Babel), Fernando Cardoso (Grupo Monda) and Hari Chapagain (Oven).
- Fish dishes – Rui Paula and Catarina Correia (two Michelin stars at Casa de Chá da Boa Nova), Arnaldo Azevedo (one star at Vila Foz), André Cruz (one star at Feitoria), Noélia Jerónimo (Noélia) and David Barata (Austa).
- Vegetarian dishes – Diogo Formiga (one star at Encanto), Nuno Mendes (Santa Joana and Cozinha das Flores) and António Galapito (Prado).
- Desserts – Fábio Quiraz (one star at Vista) and Américo dos Santos (two stars at Belcanto).
And that’s not all – three international chefs will be firing things up each day, though their names are still under wraps.
🎸 What about music?
Chefs on Fire is a food festival, yes, but also an intimate music festival. This year’s line-up? Still top secret.
🧸 Kids in tow?
Bring them along. There’s a kids’ zone packed with activities plus mini portions just for them. Tickets for children are €20/day.
🍴 How do the food portions work?
Chefs on Fire uses 3cket digital ticketing – your phone is your pass for everything (entry, food, drinks, merch and more). Buy your ticket via 3cket and you’ll instantly get an SMS with your QR code to use on site.
Each day features 38 food stations – 18 chefs and 20 restaurants (Bites) – covering meat, fish, veggie and desserts. If you run out of credit and want seconds (or thirds), just top up your ticket at any time. Got leftovers on your balance (how?!) – you can request a refund within the app’s deadline.
📍 Where?
After seven years at FIARTIL – Estoril’s Craft Fair – Chefs on Fire packs up and moves to Parque Marechal Carmona, Cascais, with bonus direct access to the dreamy Praia de Santa Marta right next door.
There’ll be tables and seats scattered across the grounds, plus hay bales and sofas in select spots. No bookings, no reservations.
🗓️ When?
The 7th edition of Chefs on Fire takes place Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September. Doors open at 12.00 and close at midnight, with re-entry allowed.
💰 How much?
Tickets are on sale now:
€50 – festival entry, no food or drinks
€85 – five plates + two drinks
€100 – seven plates + four drinks
€200 – two-day pass with 15 plates + ten drinks
Kids: €20, which includes access to the kids’ zone and mini portions.