If you love food, there’s an event featuring various activities and a special seaside lunch coming soon to Matosinhos. From October 1 to 11, Out of the Blue returns for its 3rd edition, with a program that includes themed guided tours—such as the Fishing Tour and the Canned Goods Tour—a surfing lesson, a workshop on making canned sardines, a national cooking contest, live cooking demonstrations, and other activities.
The event was first held in 2024 and is organized by Opium, with support from the Matosinhos City Council and Turismo do Porto e Norte. The program is diverse and features a mix of free activities—though some may require advance registration—and paid activities, designed for different audiences.
The 2026 edition takes place after Matosinhos was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2025 . This recognition highlights the municipality’s gastronomic sector, which brings together fishermen, fishmongers, canneries, merchants, chefs, researchers, farmers, and designers.
A lunch prepared by chefs at Angeiras Beach
One of the program’s major highlights is the opportunity to enjoy a special lunch at Angeiras Beach. On Sunday, October 4, six chefs will prepare a meal by the sea, where ingredients from the Atlantic take center stage.
This is a gastronomic experience with a limited capacity of 75 participants and a price of 20 euros per person, subject to prior registration.
The debut of the Portugal Trophy in Matosinhos
New to Out of the Blue 2026 is the debut of the Portugal Trophy in Matosinhos, taking place October 3–5 at Jardim do Senhor do Padrão. The competition brings together eight chefs from various regions of mainland Portugal and the islands. The dishes presented must feature seafood as their central element. At the end, the winner will receive 3,500 euros.
Full schedule for Out of the Blue
October 1 — Thursday
Matosinhos Food Week and Restaurant Week
- Start of Matosinhos Food Week / Out of the Blue 2026
- Kickoff of Restaurant Week, featuring special menus or offers at participating restaurants in Matosinhos
- Kickoff of the program dedicated to Atlantic cuisine, fishing, canned goods, sustainability, and ocean culture
October 2 — Friday
10:00 a.m. — Fishing Tour
- Guided tour of the Matosinhos Fish Market
- Fishing experience with José Fernando from the Angeiras Mutual Association of Fishing Boat Owners
- Traditional lunch with fishermen at Angeiras Beach
1:00 p.m. — Canned Goods Tour
- Visit to the Pinhais Canning Factory
- Sardine canning experience and tasting
- Guided tour exploring the industrial heritage and the influence of canneries on Matosinhos’ architecture
- Activity led by Diego Inglez de Souza
October 3 — Saturday
Portugal Trophy — 6th edition
- Start of the national cooking contest at Jardim Senhor do Padrão
- Fish is the central ingredient of the tastings
- Eight chefs representing various regions of mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions are participating
- Activities and tastings with free admission for the public
Tour of the Masters
- Tour of the Matosinhos Market, led by Tó Peixe
- A conversation about fishing, crafts, and the local area with Fernando Martinho of Turislavra and Teresa Trindade of Parfois
- Lunch at Casa do Mar, in Angeiras
Tour of the Waves
- A conversation about the ocean and sustainability with Ratusfari / Surfitbox
- Surfing lesson at Matosinhos Beach
- Sunset party featuring Atlantic-style appetizers prepared by the Bravio duo
- DJ set by Senhorita Trindade
Sardine Academy
- Workshop led by Chef Rodrigo Cardoso of Peixe no Mercado
- Demonstration and hands-on learning about how to prepare canned sardines
- Activity limited to 40 participants
October 4 — Sunday
Portugal Trophy — 6th edition
- Continued rounds of the national cooking contest
- Activities at the Senhor do Padrão Garden
- Free admission to the public
A Grand Lunch at Angeiras Beach
- Lunch for 75 participants
- Featuring chefs Hugo Portela, Hugo Rocha, Alana Mostaccio, Nuno Brás, Ana Moura, and Annakaren Fuentes
- Advance registration required
- Advertised price: 20 euros per person
Academia do Mundo
- Cooking Demonstration at Jardim Senhor do Padrão
- Participation by members of the migrant community in Matosinhos
- Sharing recipes, techniques, and traditions from different regions and communities
October 5 — Monday
Portugal Trophy Finals
- Final rounds of the national competition dedicated to seafood products
- Held at Jardim Senhor do Padrão
- Selection of the winner of the 2026 edition
Talks open to the public
- Discussions and gatherings on gastronomy, sustainability, fishing, and the ocean
- Participation by chefs, producers, and other stakeholders in the sector
Sardine Festival open to the city
- A community gathering to socialize and celebrate the sardine
- Closing of the main program for Out of the Blue
October 6–11 — Tuesday through Sunday
Restaurant Week
- Continued special menus and offers at participating restaurants in Matosinhos
- Promotion of fish, seafood, canned goods, and other Atlantic products
- Publicly available sources do not, at this time, specify additional activities broken down by each of these days.
Editor’s Note: More information is available on the official website.
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