Flavel Monteiro dove into the world of computers, fashion, airlines and publishing before gaining global acclaim as a ‘Chef Whisperer’ and culinary storyteller. His book ‘Savor Goa - The Best Restaurants’ was named the Best Food Tourism Free Book at the Cascais World Food Summit in June
Flavel Monteiro along with world-renowned chefs Heinz Beck (Italy/Germany), Elena Arzak (Spain), Paco Perez (Spain) and Thomas Buhner (Germany).
GLOBAL GOENKARS IN FOCUS
PANAJI
Born into a world where food was more than sustenance – it was a celebration – Flavel Monteiro’s journey from a small coastal village of Caranzalem-Taleigao, Goa, to a global culinary icon is a tale of passion, reinvention, and an unyielding love for storytelling through food.
At 15, in 1980, Flavel’s curiosity for the world led him to Dubai, where he dove into the nascent world of computer programming, mastering languages like BASIC, COBOL, and Fortran on IBM mainframes. His talent earned him a scholarship to study computer science at San Jose University, but the allure of creativity soon pulled him elsewhere.
By 1984, Flavel found himself in Hong Kong, drawn to the fast-paced world of the rag trade. From there, he hopped to Bombay (now Mumbai) to work with a leading fashion house and star exporter, eventually landing in London to continue his work in fashion. The 1980s were a whirlwind of cities and experiences, each one adding a new layer to Flavel’s eclectic persona.
The 1990s marked a pivot to hospitality and aviation, where Flavel’s work as a flight attendant opened doors to the world’s finest restaurants and introduced him to culinary maestros. These encounters sparked a lifelong fascination with gastronomy.
CULINARY STORY-TELLING
By 2001, Flavel’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to acquire a franchise for Scandinavian Millionaire magazine in Helsinki, followed by Pinoy World in the Middle East. These ventures honed his knack for storytelling, but it was in 2014 that he found his true calling with the launch of WG Magazine. This platform became a canvas for celebrating Michelin-starred chefs, culinary royalty, and the lifestyles that define fine dining.
[Left] Flavel Monteiro along with award-winning Massimo Bottura, an Italian chef, gastronome, entrepreneur, and owner of Osteria Francescana, which has earned three Michelin stars and a green Michelin star. [Right] Flavel Monteiro along with Manuela Buffara, award-winning Latin American chef and owner of Restaurante Manu in Curitiba, Brazil.
Collaborations with global culinary events—from the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival to Expo 2020 Dubai, where Flavel curated 70 of the world’s finest chefs for The Jubilee Gastronomy—cemented his reputation as the “Chef Whisperer.”
Flavel’s partnership with Chef Alfredo Russo in 2018 to launch EX.IT—Extraordinary Italian at the Michelin-starred Dolce Stil Novo in Turin was a milestone. His ability to bridge cultures and cuisines shone through in projects like ‘The Great Indian Khichdi’, featuring 50 of India’s finest chefs, and Dine. ‘Feed. Educate’, a 2022 initiative with Dubai Cares to fund education for underprivileged children. These efforts weren’t just about food; they were about impact, connection, and legacy.
GLOBAL ACCLAIM
A prolific author, Flavel’s literary contributions have earned global acclaim. His 2019 book ‘Coffee: Absolute Gastronomy’ won the Best Book in the World at the Gourmand Awards, followed by a string of successes in 2020 with six books, including ‘Come Together’ and ‘Cuisinero: Taste The Philippines’.
Five of these secured the 2021 Best in the World Gourmand Awards, and Flavel was named the 2021 Specialized Cookbook Publisher. In 2022, ‘Back To Our Roots’, inspired by a conversation with Chef Vikas Khanna, received the Future Foods 21st Century award at the Umeå Food Symposium.
By June 2025, his ‘Savor Goa - The Best Restaurants’ was named the Best Food Tourism Free Book at the Cascais World Food Summit, and ‘Coffee: Absolute Gastronomy’ earned a coveted spot on the Gourmand Awards’ Best of the Best for 30 Years.
RETURN TO GOA
Returning to Goa in November 2022, along with his brother and his partner Maria, Flavel opened Taste, a culinary haven blending Japanese, Korean, Filipino, and Itameshi (Japanese-Italian fusion) influences.
The move was a homecoming, but it also revealed a gap in Goa’s dining scene. Frustrated by overhyped reviews and a focus on cocktails over cuisine, Flavel launched ‘Savor Goa’ in September 2024 with Goa’s Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte.
This impartial guide, free for all, showcases the state’s diverse culinary landscape, from hole-in-the-wall gems to fine-dining establishments.
“Goa is the Pearl of the Orient,” Flavel says, “and its food deserves to be celebrated authentically.”
In 2025, Flavel teamed up with friend Doug Singer to launch ‘Gastronome’s Guide’, an app and magazine by diners, for diners, now available across India and the U.S. His latest book, ‘Culinary Creativity - Expressions of Food’ by the World’s Best Chefs, released in December 2024, was lauded by Le Cordon Bleu as a resource for their Superior Cuisine students and praised by French photo artist Denis Nidos as “a masterpiece.”
GOAN IDENTITY
Goa remains Flavel’s anchor, with the vibrant pulse of Goan culture having shaped his early years. Its vibrant markets, communal feasts, and cultural diversity have shaped his worldview, infusing his work with warmth and authenticity.
To young Goans, he offers a simple message: “Chase your passions fearlessly, but never forget your roots. Goa’s spirit—its resilience, creativity, and hospitality—can inspire the world.”
From Caranzalem to the global stage, Flavel Monteiro’s story is one of transformation. Whether curating culinary experiences, authoring award-winning books, or championing Goa’s flavors, he continues to weave narratives that celebrate food, culture, and human connection.
As the “Chef Whisperer,” Flavel’s legacy is not just in the dishes he champions but in the stories he tells, inviting the world to savour life, one bite one at a time.
