Meet Stéphanie Pons Picard: The Woman Behind Lisbon Insiders Transforming Lisbon's Culinary Scene

Passion for Lisbon

Stéphanie Pons Picard's passion for Lisbon brought her to Portugal six years ago, with gastronomy being the compelling reason she decided to stay. As the face behind Lisbon Insiders, she created a guide dedicated to supporting small projects in the restaurant industry.

Spotlight on Culinary Heroes

Lisbon Insiders is not just about her; it's about highlighting the small gastronomic projects, restaurants, hotels, and the people behind them. It aims to give visibility to the “unsung heroes of the culinary universe”, focusing on food lovers. This guide encompasses awards, magazines, newsletters, and tips about the best dining experiences in Portugal from north to south, including digital maps of Porto, Alentejo, and Algarve.

Upcoming Awards Ceremony

The 4th edition of the awards ceremony is scheduled for March 31st at LX Factory. In anticipation, an interview was conducted at Tiffin, a restaurant nominated in 2022, with Stéphanie discussing her journey and the impact of Lisbon Insiders.

Supporting Local Businesses

Founded in 2021, the Lisbon Insiders initiative emerged from a desire to support small businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Stéphanie, with 15 years of experience in hospitality across multiple countries, began sharing her favorite Lisbon restaurants on Instagram. This organic growth led to the project becoming essential to the capital’s gastronomic community.

Community Engagement

Lisbon Insiders is designed to be a democratic platform, recently launching a restaurant week where the public could vote on their favorite eateries, bolstering community engagement. This initiative allowed over 100,000 users to participate, with the awards based on both professional juries and public votes.

Insights into the Culinary Scene

Stéphanie emphasizes that the true insiders are the chefs, sommeliers, and restaurant owners, and her platform aims to give them a voice. She acknowledges the importance of understanding local perceptions and has surrounded herself with Portuguese friends to gain insights into the culinary scene.

The Future of Lisbon Insiders

As Lisbon Insiders approaches its fifth anniversary, Stéphanie reflects on the journey and the continuous challenge of maintaining independence while supporting local culinary projects. She envisions a vibrant future, aiming to expand the platform and continue celebrating the rich culinary culture of Lisbon.