Recognition
Media
SEM is proof that flavour, creativity and hospitality can exist because of, not despite, positive impact. Here is what the industry has recognised, and where the conversation continues.
Awards
Recognition for the work.
Best Chef Awards
One Knife
Recognising the chef's craft, innovation, and contribution to the future of gastronomy.
Repsol
One Sun
A mark of culinary excellence and sustainable practice in Spain and Portugal.
SRA
Three Stars
For leadership in sourcing, social impact, and environmental practice.
Michelin
Selected
Listed in the Michelin Guide for Portugal.
50 Best Discovery
Listed
The global directory of restaurants worth seeking out, from The World's 50 Best.
Best Chef Awards
One Knife
Second consecutive recognition.
Mesa Marcada
Best New Restaurant Portugal
2021
Named Portugal's best new restaurant in SEM's opening year.
Media
In the conversation.
SEM's work has been covered in Portugal, Brazil, New Zealand, the United States, Germany, Spain and Austria - across industry guides, sustainability publications, national newspapers and gastronomic media. We are always open to speaking with journalists, podcasters, and researchers working on food systems, regenerative hospitality, and the future of restaurants.
Guides & Listings
Press & Features
Público / Fugas
2026"Restaurante SEM vai fechar em Lisboa, mas a culpa (desta vez) não é da crise"
Portugal
Time Out Lisboa
2026"O SEM vai fechar: Este capítulo está pronto para chegar ao fim"
Portugal
NiT
2026"SEM: restaurante lisboeta destacado pelo Guia Michelin vai fechar"
Portugal
Guia Repsol
2025"SEM em Lisboa, um restaurante de desperdício zero"
Spain/Portugal
Forbes Brasil
2025"Os 6 Melhores Restaurantes de Alta Gastronomia para Conhecer em Lisboa"
Brazil
Flavors and Senses
2025"SEM: When Waste Becomes Gold"
Portugal
Time Out Lisboa
2025"No SEM, jantares com chefs internacionais cruzam cozinha e activismo"
Portugal
Taste of Lisboa
2025"Foreign chefs redefining Lisbon's dining scene"
Portugal
Private Edition
2025"Throw nothing away"
South Africa
Reisevergnügen
2023"Die Zero-Waste-Küche im Restaurant SEM"
Germany
RNZ (Radio New Zealand)
2023"Lisbon based Kiwi chef George McLeod"
New Zealand
NZ Herald (Viva)
2022"George McLeod's Restaurant, Sem, Has No Leftovers"
New Zealand
Stuff.co.nz
2022"Kiwi chef George McLeod finds success in Portugal"
New Zealand
Forbes
2021"Where To Eat In Lisbon Now: Top New Restaurants"
USA
Observador
2021"SEM: o restaurante onde não entra a palavra desperdício"
Portugal
Mesa Marcada
2021"SEM, o novo restaurante que quer redefinir o termo desperdício"
Portugal
Time Out Lisboa
2021"SEM Restaurant & Wine Bar - five-star review"
Portugal
Visão
2021"Elas mandam na cozinha: 9 chefes que estão a dar cartas no País"
Portugal
Attitude Interior Design Magazine
2021"SEM Wine Bar - sustainable design"
Portugal
Podcasts & Audio
- Think Hospitality Podcast"Episode 1: It's Not the Cow, It's the How"Lara Espírito Santo and George McLeod2026Listen →
- Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food"Source the cream, not the butter: fixing food waste through regen sourcing"Lara Espirito Santo with Koen van Seijen2026Listen →
- RNZ - Summer Days"Lisbon based Kiwi chef George McLeod"George McLeod2023Listen →
- Superb - The Recipe"Episode 9: Trash Talk"Lara Espirito Santo with Douglas McMaster2022Listen →
- RNZ - Karyn Hay Presents"George McLeod, Kiwi chef in Portugal making great meals with scraps"George McLeod2022Listen →
Want to talk press, partnerships, or appearances?
Get in touch and we will respond as soon as we can.
Contact us