Hello Reader,
I’ve been thinking a lot about Lisbon lately—because next May, The One and I are going back. And we want you to join us.
Whenever I think of Lisbon, a certain version of myself comes flooding back: younger (thinner!), wide-eyed, lugging far too many notebooks, and trying to capture the tastes and rhythms of Portugal while writing The New Portuguese Table.
I lived in Lisbon for months at a time. Not as a tourist, not as a passer-through, but as someone trying to understand why the city and country felt so familiar. I’d wake to the rumble of the electric trolleys beneath my window, wander down Rua Augusta with a bica in hand, and spend late afternoons in Rossio nibbling petiscos and watching the swirl of life. And then there was Bertrand—my bookstore—where I’d settle into a corner and let myself disappear for hours. It wasn’t glamorous living. It was real living. And it changed me.
And then one day, The One flew over. Suddenly, those tiny discoveries weren’t things I wrote down—they were things we shared. We traveled everywhere we could reach by train, bus, taxi, or shoes that had no business walking that far. We ate in tiny restaurants where the waiter had opinions on everything. We got lost in alleys that looked like movie sets. We stood on the roof terrace of my apartment at dusk, watching the city turn gold as the Tagus melted into night.
Next spring, I want to share that Lisbon with you.
From May 12 to May 18, 2026, The One and I are hosting A Cook’s Tour of Lisbon—a week I’ve shaped with enormous love. A week that goes beyond “things to do” and instead creates a sense of place.
It’s the kind of experience you give yourself when you want to feel joy. And honestly, I think we can all use a little more joy these days. It makes a spectacular holiday gift for someone you love. If you do gift it, The One and I will record a personal video message for the lucky recipient.
Let me tell you what makes this week remarkable—not in the overblown, brochure-y way, but in the “this is what you will actually feel, taste, and remember” way.
Why This Trip Is Special
☞ You’ll experience Pastéis de Belém in a way tourists never can.
The bakery—the bakery—does not open its inner sanctum to the public. But it will open it to us. You’ll get a peek behind the scenes where the original recipe has been guarded since 1837. You’ll watch trays of pastéis come out blistered and caramelized. And you’ll eat them still warm…straight from the source. I promise you: this will be a moment you talk about for the rest of your life.
☞ You’ll cook with some of Lisbon’s best cooking teachers—and I’ll be right there with you.
Three cooking classes. Three different kitchens. Three styles of Portuguese cooking. You’ll chop, whisk, sizzle, and stir with wine in hand, and I’ll float from station to station—answering questions, sharing stories about the dishes, helping where needed, and just being fully present. I won’t be a student with a cutting board; I’ll be your host, your resource, your wandering storyteller.
☞ You’ll take a pastel de nata masterclass with my former teacher, João Batalha.
João isn’t just a pastry chef—he’s an artist. He taught me the craft years ago. His technique, his humor, his generosity…you’ll understand why I wanted him to be part of this trip. Watching him guide you into that perfect, silky custard and shatteringly crisp pastry is worth the trip alone.
☞ You’ll stroll through markets and cook meals the way I did while writing my cookbook.
There’s no better window into Portugal than its markets—colorful, noisy, fragrant, human. You’ll walk the aisles with our teachers, choose ingredients for your menu, and cook the food you just bought. That moment when you taste your own sea bass or octopus rice, knowing you selected the fish yourself? That’s connection. That’s memory.
☞ You’ll dine at legendary Lisbon restaurants, each chosen with intention.
This isn’t a parade of tourist-friendly spots. These are places that matter—restaurants that define Lisbon’s past, present, and future. Places where chefs cook with pride, where the flavors are rooted in the land and sea, and where the hospitality feels like being welcomed into someone’s home.
And yes, we’ll end one evening at Pap’Açôrda—the Lisbon institution that’s equal parts nostalgia and sophistication.
☞ You’ll spend a day in the Alentejo, my favorite region to get lost in.
Golden plains. An unhurried pace. Earthy wines. Olive oils that taste like sunlight and grass. A long, lingering lunch. This is Portugal at its most soulful—and you’ll be in it, not just passing through it.
☞ And finally: you’ll be with me and The One every step of the way.
All week long. Every meal. Every tour. Every class. Every moment.
I’ll be there, along with our on-the-ground guide Joel Silva, to answer questions, translate nuances, share the stories behind the dishes, and give you a sense of Portugal that only someone with deep roots and years of experience can provide. And The One—well, he’s the heart of these trips.
If you’ve ever wanted to see Portugal—not as a tourist, but as someone welcomed in—this is the trip.
You can read the full itinerary, view the hotel, pricing, and book your spot here.
Only eight places left. First come, first served. And if you want to give this as a holiday gift, tell me—we’ll make that personal video for your recipient.
If you have questions, write me. If you’re on the fence, let’s talk. And if Lisbon has been calling your name, maybe this is the year you say yes.
