THE WORLD'S BEST FEMALE CHEF DANCES THE SAMBA. THE UK MAGAZINE "THE RESTAURANT" AWARD, “VEUVE CLICQUOT WORLD’S BEST FEMALE CHEF” 2014 WENT TO THE BRAZILIAN HELENA RIZZO (RESTAURANT MANÌ, SAN PAULO). SHE DETHRONED THE ITALIAN SANTINI

The best female chef in the world dances to the rhythm of the samba. The "Veuve Clicquot World's Best Female Chef" 2014, awarded by the British magazine "The Restaurant", which crowns the best female chef in the world went to the Brazilian Helena Rizzo of the restaurant Mani in Sao Paolo. Helena takes the place of Italy's Nadia Santini of the restaurant "Dal Pescatore" (three Michelin stars) in Canneto (Mantova). A former model and former student of architecture, Rizzo (born in Porto Alegre, but her surname reveals Italian origins), 36 years old, works alongside her husband Daniel Redondo, who is also a chef. They opened their restaurant Manì in 2006 – on the west side of São Paulo - and already last year were on the list of the "50 best restaurants in the world" (www.theworlds50best.com), at position number 46.

One of their strengths is combining traditional Brazilian ingredients with modern culinary techniques and strong international influences. The signature dish is in fact based on "mandioca" (a symbol of the Amazonian Indians) , which is grilled and served with tucupi (a traditional Brazilian yellow colored sauce), coconut milk and white truffle oil. In motivating the prize, "The Restaurant" states on their site that Helena Rizzo’s cuisine "is an example of innovation and food made with the soul". The award ceremony will be staged April 28th in London. "I am not and have never really thought about being the best female chef in the world. It is difficult for me to express an opinion", said Rizzo in commenting the title she received.