ISLAMABAD: The two-day Brazilian food festival that will open on Thursday (Sept 21) at the Marriott Hotel will provide an opportunity to the residents of the capital to experience authentic food of the South American nation.

“Brazilian food reflects a tapestry of influences, drawing inspiration from various traditions. Within this vibrant South American nation, there’s a wide range of delights to discover,” said Brazil Ambassador Olyntho Vieira, at a press conference on Monday.

“The Embassy of Brazil in Pakistan and the Islamabad Marriott Hotel join hands in organising ‘Brazilian Flavours’ - a vibrant two-day Brazilian Food Festival on September 21,” Mr Vieira said.

This festival aims to showcase the vibrant flavours and cultural richness of Brazilian cuisine, providing an immersive experience for guests. The Embassy of Brazil has invited three reputed Brazilian chefs for a series of activities in the context of a project to promote Brazilian cuisine. As part of the ambiance, guests will also have the opportunity to appreciate the wealth of Brazilian music, the organisers said.

Highly qualified chefs Vico Crocco, Morena Leite and Wlisses Reis will be curating the menu to give everyone a true taste of Brazil.

Talking to Dawn, Chef Vico Crocco said his team had thoughtfully crafted the menu to ease residents of Islamabad into the true flavours of Brazil.

In response to a question, Chef Vico Crocco said: “Our favourite part about the festival is when we start planning getting in the kitchen, selecting ingredients, serving people and watching how they react to the tastes.”

He said that this festival was unique. “Because it’s a very different country and culture for us. We have never been to this part of the world. The ingredients are somewhat similar. I heard you have the best mangoes and guavas, which we will incorporate into our recipes. And the spices are so aromatic here. It’s going to be an exciting few days,” said Vico Crocco.

Moreover, a Master Cooking Class was also planned for September 20, in which the three chefs will teach the delicacies of Brazilian cuisine to guest chefs and to amateurs interested in learning new flavours and techniques.

Chef Morena Leite, who has cooking schools around the world, said she literally grew up in the kitchen and has been in the business of cooking for the last 40 years.

“It is exciting to be in Pakistan. The food here is so delicious, and we will be taking a bit of Pakistan with us when we leave,” said Morena Leite, who has invited guests to enjoy the flavours of Brazil when the food festival opens.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2023