Miguel Dominguinhos, originally from Almada, moved to Montemor-o-Novo when he was just six years old. Continuing his studies after the 12th grade was never part of his plans. Instead, he dreamed of a military career, but the delay in applying for the GNR led him to follow another path.

In 2014, he started working at the local restaurant Pátio dos Petiscos, where he discovered an unlikely passion for catering, especially in the area of wine. Six years later, Miguel decided to try his luck in Lisbon working in the restaurants of some renowned chefs. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected changes and Miguel found himself unemployed, but only for a short time.

Back in Montemor-o-Novo, he started working in a winery and distillery, where he found a new passion for the more practical side of working in the fields.

With the catering sector struggling due to the lockdowns, Miguel decided to emigrate to Switzerland. He went to work on the building sites. With everything at a standstill, he didn't feel fulfilled and, "with bills to pay", he wasn't sure what direction his sector of work was going to take. In his spare time, he explored the wine regions of Alsace and the surrounding area, meeting producers, tasting wines and discovering new restaurants. He kept broadening his horizons with each new opportunity.

At the end of 2022, he returned to Portugal with a clear vision of what he wanted to do. In 2023, he opened the Poda restaurant in the former Bar Alentejano space in Montemor-o-Novo. Poda's concept is based on traditional Portuguese cuisine, with a strong focus on local and seasonal produce. In 2024, he achieved the feat of placing his restaurant in the Michelin Guide, being honoured with the Bib Gourmand.

Miguel is passionate about his region and the gastronomic experiences that Portugal offers. As a host, he endeavours to ensure that his customers have an experience as surprising as his passion for what he does, through friendliness, sharing knowledge and creating a menu that changes with each season.