The event celebrates the archipelago's gastronomic excellence, highlighting the creativity and quality of the local cuisine, which combines tradition, regional products, and contemporary innovation. For the first time, the ceremony will be broadcast in its entirety on the Portuguese television channel Conta Lá.

Five renowned chefs will be responsible for the Gala menu, coordinated by Benoît Sinthon (Il Gallo d’Oro), holder of 2 MICHELIN Stars and a Green Star in 2025. The team includes Octávio Freitas (Desarma) and Francisco Avalada (William), both with 1 MICHELIN Star in 2025, Júlio Pereira (Ákua), Recommended in 2025, and João Dinis (Casal da Penha), Bib Gourmand in 2025. These chefs will reinterpret local products, creating dishes that combine technique, aesthetics and flavor, placing Madeiran gastronomy on the international map.

The Gala will be presented by Portuguese-American actress Daniela Ruah, who will host the ceremony with Juliana Penteado, a renowned pastry chef, who will welcome guests on the red carpet. The musical moment will be provided by the Madeiran band NAPA, winner of the 2025 Song Festival and author of the hit “Deslocado”, which has already surpassed 110 million plays on Spotify.

Debate “Shaping the Future”

As a prelude to the Gala, on 3 March, the debate “Shaping the Future” will take place at the Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre in Funchal.

Moderated by journalist Paulo Salvador, the meeting will bring together sector experts to discuss the challenges of training in a constantly evolving gastronomic landscape. Participants include chefs, tourism managers, and students from the Madeira School of Hospitality and Tourism. The debate will be open to the public, recorded, and broadcast later on the Conta Lá channel.

"Madeira, a taste of the stars" Campaign

The MICHELIN Guide is also launching the "Madeira, a taste of the stars" campaign, which aims to promote the archipelago as a leading gastronomic destination. The initiative includes social media activations, collaborations with prominent chefs, and digital challenges that offer participants exclusive experiences and invitations to the Gala.

With the support of Turismo de Portugal, the Madeira Promotion Association, and partners such as Makro, Delta, Balfego, San Miguel, Royal Bliss, Alardo, and The Fork, the MICHELIN Guide Portugal 2026 Gala positions Madeira as a destination of culinary, cultural, and scenic excellence, reinforcing the prestige of Madeiran gastronomy nationally and internationally.