• SJM and UTM co-hosted an exclusive culinary demonstration workshop featuring Chef José Avillez.
• The workshop saw 40 UTM students actively engage with Chef Avillez to gain valuable insights.

SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM) and the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) recently co-hosted a culinary demonstration workshop at Mong-Há Campus. The event invited renowned Chef José Avillez to engage with Culinary Arts Management students.

Through close collaboration with academic institutions, SJM continues to organize diverse activities, aiming to provide professional guidance and inspiration to Macau’s new generation of culinary talents and contribute to the development of Macau as a UNESCO “Creative City of Gastronomy”.

The workshop featured renowned Chef José Avillez – the first chef garnering two MICHELIN Stars in Lisbon, Portugal and the visionary behind Mesa at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau.

Macau, where Chinese and Portuguese cultures intertwine, served as the ideal stage for the renowned, award-winning Portuguese chef. He unveiled exquisite Portuguese dishes, bringing a philosophy of tradition, quality, authenticity and farm-to-table to the city.

During the workshop, he guided 40 fourth-year students in UTM’s Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts Management Programme, sharing his culinary journey, the inspirations behind Mesa by José Avillez dishes and insights into culinary creativity, business challenges and successful strategies.

He then expertly demonstrated his signature “Bacalhau à Brás”, discussing its evolution, techniques and how tradition can be presented in a modern context. This enriched students’ understanding of Portuguese cuisine while equipping them with valuable experience for their culinary futures.

SJM actively collaborates with academic institutions to provide local youth with professional culinary training and development opportunities, fostering communication between industry leaders and emerging talent. This strengthens Macau’s status as a UNESCO “Creative City of Gastronomy” and a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure”.