A family business, Chef Rodiney Neves, and Artist & Entrepreneur, Melanie Aronson, have joined forces to create Cultivate, a joint vision for their community.

This fusion of culinary artistry and community engagement is at the heart of who they are, inviting everyone to share in the joy of connection, discovery, and a really good meal. They have teamed up with collaborator Chef Laura, whose expertise in plant-based cooking adds an innovative, delicious, and sustainable approach to dining.

Rodiney

Originally from Mato Grosso, Brazil, Rodiney ventured off to the coastal southern village of Guarda do Embau to develop his culinary skills, surf, and open his own vegetarian restaurant where he could share and further develop his creations. Rodiney loves to push the boundaries of traditional sushi by infusing it with bold, vegan innovations, and since then, has introduced the sushi burrito to Portugal.

Melanie

Originally from the U.S., Melanie has a background in anthropology, filmmaking, photography, and yoga, which took her on a journey around the world capturing photos and eventually making documentaries. Before moving to Portugal, she ran a film production company in Sweden and later founded Panion, a tech startup that provided a community-building platform for online communities during the pandemic. At heart, she’s an artist, foodie, science nerd and curious soul who believes in the power of coming together over food to learn, connect, and make a positive impact.

Together they have a little boy who is a very impressive eater!

In search of alignment with veganism and new challenges, in 2024 she completed the 'Gran Diplôme Plant-Based' at Le Cordon Bleu, a world-renowned school and reference in the arts of gastronomy. Today, with additional training in vegan cuisine and desserts, she is eager to explore and contribute to the world of plant-based gastronomy through her creations at Cultivate.

Laura

Driven by her passion for gastronomy, Laura Rodrigues began her journey in 2015 with a course in Boulangerie and later graduated from the ACPP (Association of Professional Cooks of Portugal), where she completed a full cooking and pastry course. Her experience includes working as a chef at the Sana Metropolitan Hotel in Lisbon and at the renowned fine dining restaurant 'Via Graça', where she and Rodiney met in the kitchen.