Sofia Lopes

Chef and support. At Tabula Rasa Retreat, guests enjoy chef-prepared healthy meals, all thoughtfully created by our talented Chef Sofia. A self-taught chef with a deep love for feel-good food, Sofia believes that food should do more than taste good — it should nourish the body, reflect the seasons, and honor the people who grow it. For her, food is meant to be shared, enjoyed, and used to its fullest wholesome potential, with nothing wasted.

Raised in a traditional family, Sofia learned early on the value of a home-cooked meal and the joy of sharing it with loved ones. When she left home and began cooking for herself, she started reimagining leftovers, exploring what was in her fridge, and choosing seasonal ingredients. That simple, seasonal approach continues to shape the way she cooks today.

In 2011, after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, she began researching diet and lifestyle as part of her own path toward better management. After seven years working in social services, Sofia realized her true passion was cooking, and she embraced the opportunity when it came. She left Coimbra and began working at Vovó Joaquina Restaurant in Beja, where she worked in the pastry section. A few months later, she discovered Tabula Rasa Retreat and accepted the challenge presented to her.

Every day, Sofia continues to learn, explore, and adapt her cooking to the diets of each guest, with the goal of making every meal as healthy as possible. During your stay, she will introduce you to the beauty of plant-based foods and the many ways they can be combined for a truly sublime taste.