Rafa Costa e Silva : the new face of Brazilian Cuisine
- 1* Michelin since 2015
- n°16 on Latin America’s Fifty Best Award 2017
- n°74 on World Fifty Best Award 2018
- 50% of his fresh products come from his own gardens (11.000sq.m)
More 1* chefs. More 50 best chefs here.
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First of all, Rafa started as professional cook in 2003 at The Culinary Institute of America, New York. Then, he lived and worked in New York until 2007 where he worked at Jean Georges and René Pujol.
In 2007, he went to Spain to work with Andoni Luis Aduriz, at Mugaritz restaurant, 2 Michelin stars. Furthermore, Rafa concluded his journey at Mugaritz in December 2011 as Executive Chef, when he decided to go back to Brazil and open Lasai Restaurant, in Rio de Janeiro – BRASIL.
Most of all, Rafa has two gardens, in more than 11.000 square meters, that produce at least 50% of the items used to inspire the daily menu at Lasai. Also he is partners with local, small and organic producers from Rio.
Lasai received in less than 1 year the award of “Best New Chef”(revista Veja – Comer & Beber no Rio – 2014) – magazine, “Best New Restaurant” (Rio Show – jornal O Globo) – newspaper, 7º place in between the Top 50 Restaurants in the World – News and Must-see (revista Vogue Casa) – magazine, “Best new Chef”(revista Gula) – magazine, “Best News of the Year”(revista Época).
Lasai received the title of Best Restaurant and Chef of the Year 2015, the two main prizes of the O Globo newspaper, this is the most important prize in Rio de Janeiro.
Still in 2015 Rafa won Chef do Ano 2015 by the prestigious Gula Magazine and Lasai was named Restaurante do Ano 2015 by Revista Época.
In 2016 Lasai was awarded Best Restaurant (revista Época), Best Chef and Best Contemporary Restaurant (Rio Show – jornal O Globo). Moreover, in 2016 Rafa received a award from the “Academie Internationale de la Gastronomie” as Prix au Chef de l´Avenir. Lasai also got a prize from “Best Service” from the magazine “Prazeres da Mesa”. From the prize of “Água na Boca” – Newspaper O Globo, Lasai & Rafa got Best Chef and Best Restaurant.
Lasai was included in the list of The Restaurant Magazine – The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Also “Restaurant wish list: 15 global eateries we´re dying to try in 2015” – CNN International Edition. On top, Lasai is also part of “The Diners Club® World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy” – Global Selection.
In March 2015 Lasai Restaurant was awarded by the Michelin Guide with 1* (one star), most respected and influential guide in the World
Until today the restaurant kept this star.
In 2019 Lasai Restaurant got ranked number nº74 in the World´s 50 Best Restaurants 2019.
It also won the prize of “Highest New Entry Award” in 2015. This year, the Lasai Restaurant was award number nº18 in the Latim America´s 50 Best.
