from Refugio da Vila, Portugal

Miguel Amaral was born 26 years ago in Portel.  He is a descendent of the family that built the house where the Refugio da Vila stands today.  He feels completely at home there and is able to combine his roots with the gourmet traditions of his family.  In Portel, whenever Miquel's father cooked, several people would start inviting themselves over for dinner and the word began to spread about the incredible chefs in the family.

With such a wonderful basis from his father, Miquel was always at ease in the kitchen and after three years of training himself in Alvora, he was able to pass by all of the important restaurants in the district and so completed the foundations of his formation as a chef.  His true passion is the Refugio da Vila Cooking School where he can teach the cuisine he loves so much.