Dona Carmem Virginia

Sobre

Brazilian chef, restaurateur, television personality, and content creator known for founding Altar Cozinha Ancestral and for serving as a judge on the shows Cozinheiros em Ação and Famílias Frente a Frente. She is also known for sharing cooking, spirituality, and cultural commentary content on Instagram with over 300.000 followers.

Antes da Fama

She sold products including life insurance and lingerie before pursuing cooking professionally. She entered a gastronomy program in 2009 but left before graduating in 2011 because of financial hardship and discrimination. She began catering religious and private events after friends praised meals she prepared at home and eventually opened Altar Cozinha Ancestral in May 2014.

Trívia

She was featured in Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants' El Espíritu de América Latina collection in 2020. Her restaurant was declared Cultural and Gastronomic Heritage of Recife in 2024. She appeared as a guest chef on the twelfth season of MasterChef Brasil in June 2025.

Vida Pessoal

She was born Carmem Virginia Barbosa dos Santos. She was raised by a single mother. Her grandmother Dona Edna inspired her approach to cooking. She has two children.

Ligações

She prepared a special Jantar dos Orixás dinner for Will Smith during his visit to Brazil in 2024.