Chef Justa Nobre

At 15, she rowed from the village of Vale de Prados to the capital to make a dream come true: "looking after the well-being of others”. Playing or cooking was all the same to her, and she later became a renowned figure for her dishes inspired by traditional and regional Portuguese cuisine. Prowess makes chef Justa Nobre an icon of Portuguese cuisine, but is technique the only factor in the success of her dishes? In conversation with TRENDS, the chef reveals what a kitchen needs to offer its master to ensure unique food. For now, we can assure you that a lot has to do with kitchen accessories. Stay with us, in the company of TRENDS.

Is the kitchen increasingly the hub of any home?
Yes, without a doubt. It is the place where family and friends often get together. There’s a certain intimacy, in an atmosphere that generates mutual help, tips... There’s sharing and conviviality, not only when it’s time to eat, but also when the dishes are being cooked.

Is combining aesthetics and functionality a complex task these days?
I wouldn’t say complex, but important. Often, we have to design a kitchen around the space we have. Other times, we buy everything already assembled. We just have to add to it as factors arise: needs, machines we want to use, our family’s particular tastes, the size of the kitchen... All this so that we feel more comfortable and truly part of the space. 

Does decorating a kitchen have a lot to do with the identity of those who use it?
Of course, it does. It depends on our origins, habits and what we like. There are those who like cleaner kitchens. Today, for example, people use kitchens with cupboards incorporated into the furniture. So, it depends on many factors.

For a complete experience, the chef’s kitchen has to be equipped with...
Cooker, oven, worktop and a good set of kitchenware. 

Everything begins and ends at the table. Is this the frame for all the delicacies served?
Yes, a complete meal is served at a well laid table (tablecloth and good crockery, cloth napkin; in the evening, candles and, at lunch, flowers).

Is the organisation of the furniture and pieces a factor that chef Justa Nobre takes into consideration? If so, why?
Yes, the furniture and the pieces have to connect with each other so that the spaces transmit a light and airy feel. Modern or classic is something personal. 

With regard to kitchen accessories, does quantity mean quality?
No. I believe it’s quality over quantity. It’s better to have a food processor that does as much as an endless line up of kitchen accessories.

Linear kitchen or U-shaped kitchen?
U-shaped.

Favourite kitchen utensil:
Wooden spoon.

Oven or microwave?
Oven. 

Worktop: Marble or Silestone?
Marble. 

Rustic or modern kitchen? 
Modern. 

Food processor: yes or no?
Yes. 

A colour for a kitchen:
White.