Chef
Dieter Koschina
Executive Chef, Vila Joya
- Discipline
- Chef
- Based in
- Albufeira, Portugal
Known for
- Holding two Michelin stars at Vila Joya since 1999 for over 25 years
- Creating daily-changing six-course menus based on seasonal local Portuguese ingredients
- Mediterranean cuisine philosophy emphasizing product quality over presentation
- 'John Wayne style' cooking approach—improvising off-menu dishes from available ingredients
i. Biography
Dieter Koschina is an Austrian chef born in Dornbirn on May 6, 1962, who has been the Executive Chef at Vila Joya in Albufeira, Portugal since 1991. He secured Vila Joya's first Michelin star in 1995 and its second in 1999, holding both stars continuously for over 25 years and making it the only restaurant in Portugal with two Michelin stars for 13 years. Under his leadership, Vila Joya entered The World's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2012 and reached number 22 in 2014, while earning multiple World Travel Awards for fine dining excellence.
Profile updated April 2026
