Chef Spotlight: Nuno Sousa of VELLA WINE BAR & Kitchen on the Upper East Side of NYC

Born and raised in Porto, Portugal Nuno Sousa began his culinary journey at the roots of his hometown, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The combination of his mother's home cooking and her insistence on meriting authentic locally sourced ingredients, with a more formal induction to simple and foundational culinary techniques at a local chef program, collectively set the bar for Chef Sousa's intuitive palette, while allowing for a more expansive and creative reimagining.

Making his way to New York only 3 years ago, taking full advantage in the epicenter of international street fare and fine dining, Nuno indulged the full experience of Italian, Greek, Modern American, French and some Japanese, allowing the broad spectrum of influences to spark a reimagined concept of Mediterranean. This would lead to Executive Chef's induction at Upper East Side's Vella Wine Bar & Kitchen. Re-awakening the menu with signature dishes such as the Paella Del Mar (or De Pato y Cerdo), retaining authentically imported ingredients from Spain and other Mediterranean cities for each relevant dish, life by the Atlantic has truly resuscitated the streets of Manhattan, breathing an added caveat of a friendly chef entourage. The upcoming spring menu at Vella is in the works along with fine wines and cocktail pairings.

The extraordinary dining quality we experience begins with Nuno's philosophy of infusing love, nurturing every act of preparation. In addition to ensuring quality ingredients locally sourced or authentically imported, embodying great leadership through a happy line-chef team that follows Nuno wherever he goes (sparing restaurant owners the hassles of having to dig up compatible and competent chefs), transposes this healthy balance of happiness, passion and culinary sophistication, seamlessly into our bellies..

When he is not cooking on the Upper East Side, he is coaching boys' soccer in Brooklyn.

Broadwayworld.com had the pleasure of interviewing Nuno Sousa for our "Chef Spotlight."

What was your earliest interest in cooking?

Having discovered my passion for food 8 years ago I immersed myself deeply into the techniques, primarily focusing on Mediterranean cultures, while driven by my own creativity.

Who were some of your career mentors?

Born and raised in Porto, Portugal, I was fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends who cared about the fresh, organic and authentic qualities of every single ingredient. The influences of my mother's home cooking is the foundation for the philosophy of my culinary work today.

What culinary styles have influenced your career?

Since my arrival to New York 3 years ago, I have been privileged to experience a variety of cuisines and cultures, specifically: Italian, Greek, French, Modern American, and even Japanese. The combination of origins, concepts, and roots have greatly influenced my ongoing exploration in the full immersion of this culinary journey.

What do you consider the most distinguishing features of your work as a chef?

My focus is in the source, conservation and use of fresh ingredients. Importantly, my respect for nature and sense of imagination, balancing warmth with refreshing, drive my choices in the entire process from selection, to its presentation. One of my signature dishes would be the Paella (del Mar or De Pato Y Cerdo). Ingredients (spicy chorizo, fresh sea food selections, and saffron rice) all imported direct from the South of Spain, combined with the simplicity of the elements retains the authenticity of home Mediterranean cooking. This has been our most successful dish since its addition to the menu at Vella.

What is your favorite meal or meals?

Born near the Atlantic, and influenced by my heritage, the culture and tradition of fresh fish has influenced my love of seafood! Specifically Codfish and Octopus.

Tell me a little bit about your restaurant for our readers.

Vella Wine Bar & Kitchen provides an authentic Mediterranean Tapas and Wine experience; from its expansive and purposeful wine list to appropriately paired signature dishes and a rotating menu, for all occasions. Vella Wine Bar & Kitchen allows me to marry my Portuguese roots into the fusion of the Mediterranean palette. With the goal to provide an authentic experience in the vast array of Mediterranean flavors, I get to combine my traditions, experience and creativity.

You can follow Nuno Sousa by visiting his blog at https://gourmetbynuno.com/blog/ and on Instagram and Facebook.

Vella Wine Bar and Kitchen is located at 1480 2nd Avenue (and 77th street), New York, NY, 10075. Visit their web site at http://vellawinebar.com/ and call them at 212.335.0456.

Photo Credit: Achilles Imperial

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