Ivan Ralston is executive chef and owner of Tuju, São Paulo, Brazil, a post held since 2014. (source, 18 September 2026)
The restaurant is No. 16 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2026, and holds three MICHELIN stars.
Career
- Trainee, RyuGin, Tokyo (source)
Training
- Studied music at Berklee College of Music (United States), before turning to cooking (source)
- Trained at Escuela de Hostelería Hofmann (source)
Recognition
- Art of Hospitality Award, The World's 50 Best Restaurants (awarded to Tuju, led by Ralston) (2026) (source)
- Chef do Ano (Chef of the Year), Prêmio SP Gastronomia (awarded to Ralston, of Tuju) (2026) (source)
- Three MICHELIN stars held by Tuju (2026) (source)
- Art of Hospitality Award, Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants (awarded to Tuju) (2024) (source)
- Two MICHELIN stars held by Tuju (2018) (source)
- Forbes Brasil Under 30 list (2016) (source)
Context
What the role involves, and what the best in it say about the work, is set out in the executive chef's role.
Also in São Paulo
- Marie-Berengere Chapoton, Rosewood Sao Paulo
Checked 10 November 2026. Corrections are welcome at press@theluxuryofattention.com.