Who We Are
Our history
How It All Began
Once in the world there´s a tropical island environment like the Azores. Come visit Idônea, Ponta Garça for an amazing food experience.
Idônea is a passion project born of the soil for us in Ponta Garça. We are here on Sao Miguel, the largest in the Azores, where the food production is almost ideal. We love to share the experience of the island lifestyle by offering you authentic hospitality with a special meal shared with food we have grown.
Idônea, in Portuguese, isn´t translatable to English, but the ideas of optimum, perfect, appropriate, suitable and right, all come close.
When you arrive, we welcome you with a food experience you won´t soon forget. Our exclusive farm-to-table menu is prepared with heart and passion by our dedicated Chef “Jeff?”. Dishes are served with a fine selection of Portuguese and Azorean wines. At the end, you will come to know the many flavours of this remarkable place.
Our Six acres farm is perched on top of lush, tropical cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean. You may enjoy an optional tour of our oceanside property. See how the rich volcanic soils produce a plethora of fruits and vegetables – yours to touch, smell and eat. The optional tropical cliff tour includes a stop at our cliff-side patio with its spectacular view that on clear days you can see Santa Maria Island or relax poolside with a refreshing, sparkling Portuguese wine.
You´ll come to know Idônea as we do – perfectly “suitable” in all ways. We hope you will agree there is nowhere on Earth like Idônea – one of the many wonders you’ll experience while here in your Azores.
Carlos Tavares Furtado
Farm Manager/ Custodian
After leaving school at the age of 9, Carlos spent most of his working life involved in local agriculture. When Pete purchased the Ponta Garça farm, Carlos had already been a fixture on the property for the previous seven years.
Sustainability is Carlos’s middle name! Bringing a vast knowledge of local food, garden planning, regional experience, and with his hands on approach, he’s got what it takes to produce great tasting fresh food.
Fun fact: His claim to fame is that he is the cousin to Nelly Furtado!
Eurico Tavares Furtado
Gardner
The son of Carlos... has been on board for 2 years at Idônea.
With a great eye for detail, he is the perfect groundsman for our property. Most days you’ll find Eurico operating a grass trimmer, lawnmower, pruning fruit trees, or just keeping the estate looking beautiful!
Prior to Idônea he has worked in the local dairy industry, and his future goal is to own his own cattle farm. Also, his food interest is alive and well as he has spent 2.5 years attending a cooking and pastry program.
If you chat with him around the farm, you only have to mention fast cars... especially his favourite brand, “Audi”, and you’ll win his heart.
He is also a master machete operator (so watch out)!
Elisabete Pereira Nicolau
Hospitality Manager
Elisabete’s work life has always been immersed in the tourism industry. It started with her degree in tourism in 2012. From there she began working on a whale watching tour company, learning the ropes in aviation travel and honing her Spanish language skills while working in Murcia town hall in Spain.
For 6 years she has been meeting and greeting visitors, as a supervisor, at one of Ponta Delgada airport car rental companies. Since 2020 Elisabete has assisted Pete in the development of Idônea.
Her biggest asset is her ability to make those around her feel comfortable and welcomed while always ensuring total customer satisfaction.
Elisabete speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish and French.
While Pete is away travelling, Elisabete takes on an additional role as Buoy’s favourite unofficial Godmother!
Ludo Eveno
Executive Chef
Ludo hails from Brittany, France. He began his culinary studies at the age of 15 in the Alsace region. His career has taken him from there to Côte D’Azur, Paris and London working in fine bistros and Michelin star restaurants.
In 2002 he moved to Nova Scotia, Canada where he has worked in the finest of food establishments before becoming a partner in “Agricola Street Brasserie” which was
voted best restaurant in Nova Scotia in 2016. Ludo and Pete became friends during his time in Nova Scotia.
In 2023, Ludo shared that he was thinking of moving back to Europe and it seemed the perfect fit to join Pete on the island of Sao Miguel at his new farm to table vision.
Ludo loves to combine classic and modern culinary styles with local farm ingredients. His all-time favourite food is to make is Galette Bretonne, a type of gourmet pancake made with buckwheat flour and usually filled with a savoury or fruit filling ... Pete is now crazy about them!
Ludo is a diverse chef and is excited to have the Idônea garden just stones throw from the kitchen door, complete with bananas, figs, citrus, and just about every possible vegetable that you can think of.
In his spare time, he loves a little adventure, just like when he hiked over the Pyrenees with a herd of donkeys!
Don’t be afraid to pop your head into his fabulous kitchen and say hi!
Buoy
Assistant Property Greeter
Pete inherited Buoy through a Nova Scotia expat connection shortly after moving to Ponta Garça. Buoy has embraced his role as master of chickens, head of security and seeker of belly rubs.
Don’t be fooled by his snaggleteeth he’s a lover, not a fighter!
Pete Luckett
Owner
Pete has been in the food business for 55 years. His early days in Nottingham, England were working at open air markets selling fresh fruits and vegetables. This led to his first own produce store, Pete’s Frootique in Victoria Market, Nottingham in 1974. Pete was 21 at the time and after 4 successful years sold the business to a fellow green grocer, to leave on a grand travel adventure taking him around the globe.
Fast forward a few years to 1982, and fate found him broke and looking for a new opportunity in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The second Frootique was born, a 12’ stall in the Saint John City Market. The 300 dollar investment led to several gourmet food stores throughout New Brunswick and Nova Scotia over a 33 year span.
In 1984 Pete joined the CBC television news show and became Canada’s “food guy” for 14 years before changing networks to work with CTV. During this time Pete launched his around the world food show... “The Food Hunter” which aired on the FoodNetwork 2001-2003.
Pete ventured into the winery and restaurant business and opened Luckett Vineyards in 2011, located in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, Canada.
In 2015 Pete sold his Pete’s Frootique stores to a national Canadian food chain, at this time employing over 400 people.
Pete never lost his love for travel and exploration, in 2020 he decided to travel to the Azores. On his 12th day of visiting Sao Miguel, Pete made an offer on a beautiful oceanfront property. It was an old farmstead located in Ponta Garca. Two days later
Pete had secured the deal and Idônea was born (and so was Covid!), plus the idea of a farm to table restaurant.
Pete has six children and eight grandchildren located in the UK and Canada. His daughter Geena has become the operating partner in Luckett Vineyards, while Pete has chosen to develop the new Azorean business.
Apart from food, speed has been a part of his life which included racing motorcycles and cars... and a little bungee jumping once in a while!