Tássia Magalhães

Nelita, São Paulo

The Brazilian chef championing female talent and reinterpreting Italian cuisine

At just 36, chef Tássia Magalhães already has more than 15 years' experience in professional cooking and has earned more accolades than most chefs can hope to achieve in a lifetime.

Born in Guaratinguetá, São Paulo, she graduated from the Hotel Escola Senac Campos do Jordão at 19 and began working in pastry at the well-respected Italian restaurant Pomodori, a cuisine she continues to explore at Nelita. Her early career also took her to Europe, where she staged at Copenhagen's Geranium (named The World's Best Restaurant 2022 and member of the Best of the Best hall of fame), Kadeau (No. 41 in The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025) and more. In 2015, Tássia's talent and impressive start to her career were recognised by Forbes Brazil, when she was included in its 30 under 30 list; in 2022, she was named Chef of the Year by Prazeres da Mesa; and in 2024, she was the recipient of La Liste's New Talent Award.

In 2021, she opened Nelita in São Paulo's Pinheiros neighbourhood. Here, she heads up an all-female team, crafting exquisite dishes inspired by Italy and incorporating modern techniques and Brazilian ingredients, such as a goat agnolotti with confit lemon, black garlic and honey, fish served with cassava and velouté and quail with chocolate and onion. The restaurant first debuted on the list of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants just a year after it opened and in 2025, it climbed to No.12 on the same list.

In 2023, Magalhães opened the bakery Mag Market, where she flexes her pastry-making muscles. Inspired by French pâtisserie but using Brazilian ingredients, Mag Market is especially celebrated for its Viennoiserie. In September 2025 Magalhães (alongside sommelier Danyel Steinle) opened Nelita, a wine bar with a list of over 400 labels and comforting, bistro-style food to complement them.

Thanks to her championing of female talent, her varied skillset and her exceptional technical knowledge, she is the well-deserving winner Latin America's Best Female Chef Award, as part of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025.

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