From the minute Pedro Menezes sent in his first recipe we were in awe of his supreme design and illustration skills.  Every recipe he has submitted is super dynamic and all 6 together are quite an outstanding collection (which is why he also has his own Featured Collection).  We were so happy when he agreed to let TDAC interview him.

What is your favorite thing to draw?
I love to draw animals, birds(I’m finishing a bird’s collection), cats, and also people portraits. But today, mostly because of the TDAC I love drawing food, too.

What was your favorite toy when you were a kid?
I had a set of animal miniatures made of plastic: lions, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, all kind of african animals, which I loved to play with. But I also had a beautiful set of color pencils and I remember making my first drawings of the sea – sharks, whales, fishes…

If you could live anywhere else for a year where would it be, and why, and can I come visit?
Paris, for sure. You have all the museums, the squares, the bridges, the mood, the FOOD, the wine…And of course you are welcome!

What city/country has the kind of food you LOVE the most?
Paris, once again…but I also love different kinds of food: Italian, Brazilian, Japanese. It’s a difficult choice, but thinking in a good Cassoulet, a well done Steak Tartare, a tasteful Coq au Vin, even a simple Quiche Lorraine…it’s irresistible!

Describe to me what you see when you look out your studio or workspace window.
I’m very lucky to have a small square in front of my workplace window…A lot a of old trees, birds, and there is always people enjoying – children in the morning, teens during the evening and even at night, people with their dogs walking or just sitting in the benches.

If I came to visit you what kinds of things might we do?
São Paulo is the biggest city in Brazil and it’s a not as touristy as Rio or Salvador…The closest beach is 100km away…But here we have a lot of good museums, MASP for instance, some good parks, cultural centers, theaters, bookstores, and the city is famous for it’s gastronomy and nightlife…Excellent choices of food from everywhere…Italian, French, Japanese, Chinese, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Greek, Indian, Thai, Brazilian, name it and you have it…

Describe your idea of the perfect day.
People who I love, good food, good drinks, good music, good chat. And a good book to finish the day.

If you imbibe, what is your favorite cocktail and where do you like to drink it best?
I love Caipirinha. It’s so simple – just cachaça, lime, sugar and ice - and yet it is close to perfection. The secret is that it should be made with a good cachaça, which make all the difference when you drink and in the day after you will not have a hangover…In the happy hour, in a good bar or even at home is a good choice. But I also drink scotch with ice. And red wine too. I’m not a big fan of beer, but during summer is the best choice in the beach for instance.

Do you listen to music when you work? if yes, care to share?
Yes, I listen to music, and I’m very eclectic: Jazz (Miles Davis, Coltrane, Dave Brubeck), Brazilian Music (Chico Buarque, Gil, Caetano Veloso), Rock (Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Gabriel), Tango (Piazzola, Gotan Project, Tanghetto)…

Do you have any pets?
Yes, two charming cats: Fidel Castro (the grey and white male) and Frida Kahlo (the black and white female).* I’m sending drawings of them...

List 3 illustrators/artists/designers whose work you love.
Just 3!? It’s difficult to narrow…Let’s make at least 3 of each kind. Artists: Matisse and Picasso for sure, Bosch could be the third, but also Chagall, Kandinsky, Monet…it’s so difficult. Illustrators: I also love comics – so I could list some of them – Will Eisner, Frank Miller, Dave McKean, Bill Sienkiewicz – and two brazilian artists, Laerte and Angeli...but I also love Norman Rockwell work...(oops, I came with seven names...sorry...) Designers: David Carson, Saul Bass and Neville Brody immediately come to my mind...but the list is huge...

What is your most memorable art exhibit/gallery show/cultural experience?
Last year in Spain I went to Guggenheim Bilbao...the museum itself is incredible. And beyond the permanent exhibit, it was shown a retrospect exhibit of Anish Kapoor. Really memorable!

Do you have a favorite color palette?
Not at all. It depends of the case. But recently I notice that I’m using mostly the primary colors…

and last but not least...what is one of your favorite recipes on TDAC?
It’s to difficult to choose only one, but as I declared my preference in French cuisine, I'll pick the recipe for Quiche Lorraine by Gaet from Paris…which is very well done.

WOW, right?? And how adorable are his cats Fidel Castro and Frida Kahlo?!!  Here above is yet another awesome illustration he has recently finished. We're so impressed. Click here to see all the amazing and traditional Brazilian recipes that Pedro has illustrated. Thanks Pedro!