Tatiana Cesso
“A Casa do Porco” took the world restaurant scene by storm lead by chef Janaína Rueda
In the vibrant culinary landscape of São Paulo, a remarkable eatery known as “A Casa do Porco” took the Latin American restaurant scene by storm in 2016, earning a coveted spot on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list within its first year of operation. In 2023, it proudly occupied the No. 12 position on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Behind this extraordinary tale of achievement, stands a visionary force in Brazilian gastronomy, whose influence extends to various businesses and social enterprises. Janaina Torres Rueda transcends the conventional definition of a chef. She’s also an activist, a sommelier, a samba instructor, and a devoted mother of two, committed to making fine dining more inclusive and affordable.
Affectionately known as “Dona Onça” or “Lady Jaguar” in Portuguese, Torres Rueda shares with her namesake the majestic jaguar. Just like the wild cat, she is patient and observant, biding her time for the opportune moment to strike. “I’m precise,” affirms the São Paulo-native chef, her left arm adorned with jaguar spots in the form of tattoos. “I don’t like getting things wrong.”
That’s how she runs one of the most sought-after gastronomic experiences in downtown São Paulo, offering inspired tasting menus at accessible prices (US$60 for the full eight-course experience). In 2023, she diversified her array of projects with the launch of “Merenda da Cidade,” a program offering wholesome meals to the local community at a wallet-friendly price of just 40 reais (equivalent to US$8) during lunch hours.
In collaboration with her ex-husband and current business partner, Jefferson Rueda, she steers a range of other ventures, including the beloved ice cream parlor “Sorveteria do Centro” and the acclaimed charcuterie brand “Porco Real.” As her impactful contributions garner increasing global acclaim, Torres Rueda adds the impressive title of “World’s Best Female Chef 2024” to her already very impressive portfolio.
