Cuisine of Time, land and people
At APEGO, we cook with time, with origin, and with emotion.
For 8 years, under the guidance of Chef Aurora Goy, we have believed in an heartfelt cuisine—the kind that arises from a connection to ingredients, memories, and the people who create it. We work with what the land provides us each season, respecting the natural rhythm of the produce and those who grow it.
The APEGO dining experience is a meeting of cultures, stories, and memories. It reflects the highly personal vision of our Chef Aurora Goy and the collaboration she builds with her team—a group of diverse backgrounds united by a shared desire to create something authentic.
In an intimate, family-like atmosphere, we invite you to slow down, share, and journey. At APEGO, the experience unfolds over time—and stays with you.
Aurora Goy
Aurora Goy’s journey has been shaped by time—and through time.
She was born in France, in the town of Gaillac, caught between two cultures: a French father and a Portuguese mother. It was during her vacation trips to Portugal that she began to form a deep connection to the country—first through her family, then through food.
She grew up surrounded by pots and pans. With a father who was a chef and a maternal family where cooking was a daily ritual, the kitchen became, from an early age, a natural place for her.
She trained as a chef and began her career in France, working at restaurants such as Guy Savoy and L’Auberge du 15. Later, her path took her to Brazil and Portugal, where she joined teams at Belcanto and Tavares Rico.
Over time—and at just the right moment—she chose Porto as her home.
It was here, eight years ago, that APEGO was born: a space that reflects her approach to both the kitchen and life. A cuisine guided by seasonality, respect for ingredients, and a slower, more mindful pace.
A place where time spent at the table is cherished.
Just as it should be. Just like at home.
Bruno Esquárcio
This is Bruno, originally from Paraopeba, a small town in Brazil that he holds dear, though it was in Belo Horizonte where he grew up and built much of his life.
Today, in Porto, he brings with him this blend of backgrounds—a lighthearted and intuitive way of being, deeply connected to people and to the feelings of the moment.
In the room, he is attentive and present. He has a natural sensitivity that translates into the way he welcomes, observes, and attends to every detail of the experience.
Fascinated by astrology, he enjoys understanding what moves us—the energies, the behaviors, the connections. Between travels, stories, and fictional worlds, he nurtures a constant curiosity about the world.
Traveling is one of his greatest passions, and perhaps that is what he also brings to APEGO: this desire to discover, to connect, and to create good memories for those who pass through here.
victor souza
This is our Victor, from Minas Gerais, Brazil.
He arrived in Porto eager for a fresh start—to leave behind what no longer made sense and forge a lighter path, one that was more his own. At APEGO, he found a place where human connection is essential, and where he can be exactly who he is.
In the room, he is attentive, approachable, and genuinely caring toward those he welcomes. There is a sensitivity in his gaze that is felt in the details—in the way he listens, how he carries himself, and how he connects with others.
He has been part of the arts world, as an actor and dancer, and perhaps that is where this natural and expressive presence comes from.
Daniela Morais
This is our Dani, a chef born and raised in Mozambique.
Curious about the world, she has a constant desire to learn, explore, and reinvent. Her cooking reflects exactly that: it’s creative, open-minded, and constantly evolving.
Amid the pots and ingredients, there’s always music. She loves singing with her colleagues during mise en place—moments she calls “bonding,” which say a lot about how she experiences the kitchen: together, with lightness and joy.
She came to bring the sauce… and maybe a little spice, too.
Joana Sousa
Joana grew up in Penafiel, surrounded by pots and pans and memories of cooking with her mother—and that’s where it all began.
Ever since she was little, she’s loved being around the stove, and that connection remains to this day. She’s curious about new things, but she finds a special place in tradition—the place where she feels most complete.
In the kitchen, she’s often humming to herself. She brings a lightness to each day, even knowing that not all days are the same—and perhaps that’s what makes her even more authentic.
With focus, dedication, and a big heart, Joana has a presence—the kind you can really feel.
Milena Teodoro
Milena was born in Rio de Janeiro to a family from the Northeast, where everything revolves around the table.
That’s where she learned that cooking is more than just preparing food—it’s about building relationships, fostering affection, and sharing. And that’s what she brings to the kitchen every day.
She graduated with a degree in Gastronomy from Coimbra and has been building her career in Portugal, always with this foundation: the kitchen as a space for gathering and transformation.
Outside the kitchen, she divides her time between acrobatics, books, and cinema. She has a keen eye for the world, with a special fondness for what is analog, simple, and true.
The sea is her place. And perhaps that is why Porto felt like home—a balance between everything that makes it up.
Marinete Paiva
This is our Marinete, from Itacoatiara, in Amazonas, Brazil.
She carries with her memories of home, family, and simple, flavorful cooking—like her father’s baked fish, which she cherishes.
She came to Portugal in search of a better future for herself and her daughter, bringing with her a quiet strength and a deep faith that is evident in the way she lives and works.
At APEGO, she found a place where she formed a connection—with the team, the space, and what she does every day. She has been with us since 2023, always with dedication and constant care.
She loves sweets and Brazilian music—especially Sandy & Junior—and believes that it’s the little things that make everything better.
At her core, Marinete embodies exactly that: care, faith, and a warmth you can feel.
Carla Brites Santos
Our Carla is from Porto, but her journey has taken her to many places—from Madeira to Lisbon, from Guimarães to Stockholm—always driven by a constant curiosity about the world and its people.
She has a long-standing connection with the kitchen and gastronomy, but it was in communication and human connection that she found her place. Today, at APEGO, she is the one who takes care of what often goes unseen: the atmosphere, relationships, the team’s well-being, and how each person feels—both at and away from the table.
She is known as the “woman of seven jobs.” Between being a manager, coach, trainer, and facilitator, she brings a very unique perspective to the restaurant: as a space for connection, listening, and growth.
She has been with us for three years, with a clear purpose—to help build an APEGO that is increasingly human, mindful, and inspiring.
She loves to eat, travel, and ask questions. Lots of questions.
And perhaps that is what drives her: the desire to better understand—people, relationships, and everything that is created between them.
