Born and raised in a rural part of Trás-os-Montes, Vítor grew up in a community where sharing food was an integral part of everyday life. This instilled in him a deep respect for produce, the land, and local traditions. At the age of 14, he turned his passion into a career by beginning his culinary training.

Before opening his own restaurant, he gained experience working in some of Portugal's and Europe's most influential kitchens, including DOC and DOP. He also undertook stints at Ocean and Vila Joya, as well as serving as executive chef for the 100 Maneiras group and working at 45 Park Lane in London. In 2019, he opened Plano in Lisbon — a personal project championing the gastronomic identity of the Alto Tâmega and Trás-os-Montes regions through contemporary cuisine deeply rooted in memory, locality and small-scale producers.

As the presenter of the documentary series Raízes, he travelled through the landscapes and traditions of his homeland to demonstrate the influence of cultural and human roots on today's cuisine. He also acts as an ambassador for initiatives aimed at reviving and promoting the traditional taverns of the Alto Tâmega region, viewing gastronomy as a tool for cultural preservation and economic revitalisation in rural areas.