Neven’s Portuguese Food Trails

RTÉ Press Centre Login

If you require a user name and password for full access to the RTÉ Press Center please send us a Registration Request here.

Broadcast Details: Wednesday 29th January, 8.00pm

Neven travels through Portugal's central region this week, starting in the Serra da Estrela region which boasts the country’s tallest mountain range.

(New series, programme four)

RTÉ One, 8pm, Wednesday January 29th 2025

Popular chef Neven Maguire continues his brand new third series of Neven’s Portuguese Food Trails this week.

This seven-part culinary adventure takes Neven from the verdant North to the sun-drenched South as he discovers more flavours, stories, and culinary traditions that make Portugal a food lover’s paradise.

Each of the seven episodes highlights a unique region.

Neven says: “Portugal is a country of endless culinary wonders. Every region has its own particular cuisine, and it’s been an absolute joy to meet the chefs, producers, and artisans who bring these flavours to life. I can’t wait for viewers to join me on this exploration of one of Europe’s most vibrant food destinations.”.

Programme four:

Neven travels through Portugal’s central region this week, starting in the Serra da Estrela region which boasts the country’s tallest mountain range. He stays at the beautiful Serra da Estrela Pousada, where the director Teresa Silveira introduces him to the area’s ingredients and dishes. Neven tries traditional recipes with a modern twist, created by talented Chef Nelson Rolo.

Next, Neven heads to Manteigas to visit Ecolã, a local factory famous for its Burel wool -100% sheep’s wool fabric of medieval origin which has always been associated with Serra da Estrela, the mountain, the shepherds and their capes. Antonio Costa of Ecolã shows Neven the process of creating the fabric and explains why it’s so important to the local community.

Neven then visits Guarda Rios, a restaurant tucked away in the mountains, where he enjoys a traditional one-pot dinner, crafted from generations of expertise and made entirely from locally sourced ingredients.

In the village of Videmonte, Neven visits the Videmonte Sheep Farm and gets hands-on with the tradition of shepherding. He also visits Cheese Factory Alcina Martins Correia in Videmonte and meets Alcina Correia who is well known for her traditional sheep milk cheeses, made using methods passed down through generations. Neven gains a whole new appreciation for these two practices that are so central to the region.

He then meets Lucia, a wonderfully eccentric local baker who is a master of her craft. With over 70 years experience, Lucia’s unique methods and lively personality add a lot of charm and fun to Neven’s visit.

Neven enjoys a picnic of sausage, bread, and cheese in Serra da Estrela Natural Park before creating his own dish this week -Chocolate Crémeux with Poached Pears..