Harvest’s story began before there was a story to begin with. It begins with a young boy chewing chilis before he could speak and starting to stir pots once he was big enough to pull up a chair so that he could reach over the counter. It continues through school age with going home after school and cooking himself, his friends and his mother more than one dinner or evening snack. As so often, it includes bumpy teens while looking for direction and eventually, through chance, luck, determination or destiny he finds himself working with one of the things that always had been a source of joy for him – cooking.

Chef Tony’s passion for cooking, his impatience and eagerness to learn coupled with an insatiable desire for experiencing new tastes and combinations has had him working over the last eight years in a wide variety of kitchens, ranging from Michelin starred fine dining to food trucks. Growing up in Scandinavia, the Nordic tastes form a natural base but it is the heritage of Middle Eastern cooking and his extended travel in the region that provides most of his kitchen inspirations.

Tony is obsessed with finding quality produce, when possible growing his own herbs and sets himself against the highest standards on the dishes he serves and their presentation. Having spent nine of his adolescent years as a pescatarian his cooking passion includes always offering a variety of inspired vegetarian and vegan options.

Tony’s move to Portugal was serendipitous, Tony was offered a two-week pre-season Guest Chef opportunity in Vilamoura while the kitchen in Finland was closed for refurbishment. He was soon offered to stay as Head Chef throughout the summer season and to greatly influence the menu, receiving outstanding reviews. As autumn arrived, he accepted a full-time off-season position while plans of opening his own restaurant in Vilamoura began to materialize.

Tony has always been fortunate in being surrounded by the best of colleagues. Portugal has been no exception. Since moving to Vilamoura he has gathered a group of dedicated professionals that share his passion for delivering exceptional experiences to form the core Harvest team.

In February 2020 he signed a lease for premises to harbour Harvest Kitchen & Bar and as the Covid-19 lock-down came into force, Harvest Kitchen & Bar was introduced to residents of Vilamoura and Quarteira through a varied take-away menu with daily and weekend specials delivered within the area. The grand opening of the in-room dining was 15th June 2020.