ABOUT ILSON GONÇALVES Ilson Gonçalves grew up in southern Brazil where it was common for him to pick wild fruits for snacking and spend the day surrounded by natural beauty. Gonçalves learned to cook by watching his mother and helping out in her popular neighborhood restaurant. When he came to the United States at age 23, he began working at a top-rated New Jersey restaurant, ascending from bussing to waiting tables to managing. Gonçalves opened Samba Montclair in Montclair, NJ in December 2010 as a deli with a few Brazilian specials. Today, Samba is a validated Gluten Free safe spot via the Gluten- Free Food Service Program, featuring a menu that's a reflection of the authentic cooking he grew up eating and loves to share with others. The Samba philosophy is simple, with high integrity and an emphasis on fresh vegetables, fish + herbs, all served in a romantic, rustic space with antique copper pots + vintage tableware. Gonçalves is a graduate of Natural Gourmet Institute in New York