Helena Rizzo is an internationally renowned chef known for her innovative cuisine that blends brazilian tradition with contemporary techniques. At the helm of Maní restaurant in São Paulo, she has received numerous awards, including the title of Best Female Chef of the Year in 2014 by Restaurant magazine.
Born on December 6, 1978, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, the daughter of Ivone, an artist, and Roberto, an engineer, Helena Rizzo initially studied architecture. However, her passion for cooking led her to abandon her studies. Moving to São Paulo, she worked as a model and waitress and began her training at the Roanne restaurant under Claude Troisgros and Emmanuel Bassoleil.
Determined to broaden her skills, Helena completed internships in Europe, at Sadler in Italy and El Celler de Can Roca in Spain. These experiences allowed her to refine her techniques and develop a unique vision, combining european influences with the rich brazilian tradition.
In 2006, back in her native country, she co-founded Maní with her husband Daniel Redondo and other partners, including model and presenter Fernanda Lima, which quickly became a landmark thanks to its contemporary cuisine based on typical ingredients.
Under Helena's leadership, the restaurant has won numerous awards. In 2014, it was ranked 36th in the world and second in South America by Restaurant magazine, behind Alex Atala's D.O.M. That same year, Rizzo was named Best Female Chef of the Year by the same magazine. In 2015, Maní was awarded a Michelin star, cementing its international reputation.
Helena has participated in several television programs. In 2018, she appeared as a judge in the Brazil episode of the first season of The Final Table on Netflix. In 2021, she was announced as a judge on the brazilian version of MasterChef, replacing former judge Paola Carosella.
