i. Biography
The Climb
Since 2019, Charco in São Paulo has been led by Tuca Mezzomo as chef, owner, and executive chef, with the restaurant’s identity built around fire, embers, and Brazilian ingredients rather than decorative excess. The work there has settled into a product-led language: ingredient first, technique in support, and a kitchen discipline that keeps the plate direct. That approach helped carry Charco onto major regional lists in 2022 and 2026 without shifting its core character.
Today
At Charco, Tuca Mezzomo keeps the restaurant’s creative direction and daily operation in the same hands. Since 2019, that continuity has shaped the kitchen into a single working unit, with the São Paulo address acting as both point of control and point of view. The cooking is organized around fire and embers, with Brazilian ingredients at the center. Flame is not treated as decoration; it is used to bring out what the product already carries. Seasonal menus keep the kitchen responsive, while original rustic recipes give the food its frame. Yakitori, parrilla, and smoker techniques broaden the vocabulary, but the emphasis stays on a Brazilian register. Charco’s tasting menu format follows the season rather than forcing repetition. Alongside the grill work, made-from-scratch charcuterie, bread, and butter extend the same method: careful handling, clean execution, and attention to texture as well as flavor. The result is a kitchen where the obvious and the secondary are held to the same standard.
Signature
Tuca's signature dishes include Cotechino Toast. It fits Charco’s working language: fire, texture, and ingredient-first cooking, without breaking from the restaurant’s broader frame.
Recognition
Tuca's honors include Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants, No. 35 (2022) and Opinionated About Dining, No. 76 in South America (2026).
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Tuca
What is Tuca Mezzomo's current role?
As of 2026, Tuca Mezzomo is Chef and Owner.
What recognition has Tuca Mezzomo received?
Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants, No. 35 (2022).
What is Tuca Mezzomo known for?
Fire and embers; ingredient-led Brazilian cooking.
