Chef Denise Matta

Some flavors stay with you for life. Denise Matta's began in Florianópolis, in the kitchen of three women: her mother, her stepmother, and above all her grandmother Cecília, who seasoned every dish on the wood-burning stove with love. That was where the future chef learned what still matters most to her: cooking is a way of taking care of the people you love.

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Life took her down other roads before it brought her back to the kitchen. Denise studied sanitary engineering and marketing, and for more than five years she owned a bookshop in Copacabana. Each of those experiences left a mark you can see at the table today. The rigor of someone who knows food safety inside out. The eye of someone who knows how to build a brand. And the ear of someone who grew up surrounded by good stories.

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In 2012, in Rio de Janeiro, she founded a catering company. Six years later, in Florianópolis, she opened Empório Dom Casmurro: a bistro, café, and bookshop in one. Until 2024, it held a unique place in the city, bringing together food, culture, and genuine welcome. Running the kitchen there, Denise wrote the menus, welcomed guests, and came to understand what she considers the true craft of a chef: hospitality.

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Manjericão Gastronomia grew out of that path. Today Denise works with corporate events, family celebrations, and coffee breaks, and offers personal chef service throughout Florianópolis and the surrounding area. The principle is always the same: every detail is settled in advance, so all you have to do is enjoy the party.

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She set out her approach to management, service, and hospitality in her book The Chef's Code: Entrepreneurship in Gastronomy Made Easy, written for anyone who wants to build a steadier, better organized, more profitable business without giving up on quality.

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Manjericão Gastronomia is more than catering. It's calm, care, and an experience that stays with you.

 

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