welcome to sampa

Caroline Martins, originally from Brazil, spent her early twenties dedicated to studying plasma physics. Despite a clear path in academia, she chose to leave that world behind and pursue her passion for cooking.

 

Her culinary career began in the UK, where she trained at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu in London, earning her diplôme de cuisine.

 

After graduating, Caroline refined her skills in several acclaimed kitchens, including Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs, Hotel Castel, Galvin La Chapelle, and Pied à Terre.

 

In 2022, she launched her first pop-up, SAO PAULO, in Manchester’s vibrant Ancoats neighbourhood. There, she introduced an evolving tasting menu that fused high-quality British ingredients with bold Brazilian flavours, creating a distinctive culinary style.

 

Caroline went on to represent Manchester on the BBC’s Great British Menu in both 2022 and 2023, bringing her Brazilian cuisine to a wider audience.

 

Drawing inspiration from the nickname for her hometown of São Paulo, she opened SAMPA in January 2025. Just a year later, the restaurant was included in the Michelin Guide—marking it as the first restaurant under the category "Brazilian" in the UK to achieve this recognition, and one of only five in Europe.

 

SAMPA has also been nominated as one of the city’s “Leading Restaurants” at the This is Manchester Awards.

 

At SAMPA, the emphasis is on enjoying exceptional food in a laid-back setting. There’s no dress code—just a welcoming atmosphere, great energy, and a location in Manchester’s eclectic Northern Quarter.