José de Almeida

José de Almeida, affectionately known as Seu Zé, was the beloved founder of the Mocotó restaurant in São Paulo, which became a cornerstone of Brazilian culinary culture. Born in Pernambuco, he moved to São Paulo where he initially opened a grocery store with his brothers, eventually leading to the establishment of Mocotó in 1973. His legacy is carried on by his son, chef Rodrigo Oliveira, who transformed the restaurant into an award-winning establishment while honoring Seu Zé's commitment to traditional, heartfelt cooking. Almeida passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a rich legacy of family and culinary excellence.