The ‘Chefs’ meeting, held on the island between July 8 and 12, aims to value Santa Maria’s regional products and gastronomy.
“The aim of this initiative is to highlight and value the various gastronomic elements that have a direct relationship with the local heritage, with the appreciation of producers and restaurants, the main players in translating the cultural and geographical expression of the island,” reads the statement published on the Regional Government’s website.
The event, promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food through the Azores Brand Management and Promotion Office, also aims to share experiences between local and foreign chefs.
The initiative includes the companies Cagarrrita; AçorCactus; Agromariensecoop; Cooperativa de Artesanato de Santa Maria; Mantamaria – Comércio Indústria e Turismo; Outromundo – Atividades de animação turística e restauração; Peixaria Filipe & Gorete; Talhos Ilha do Sol; Mascote Ilha Amarela; Ângelo de Chaves Braga, and ARCOA – Associação Regional de Criadores de Caprinos e Ovinos dos Açores, all of which are members of the Azores Brand label.
Chefs José Pereira (ÕTAKA restaurant, in São Miguel), André Cruz (FEITORIA* Michelin restaurant, in Lisbon), and João Sá (SÁLA* Michelin restaurant, in Lisbon) will attend the event.

By visiting the different production sites and exchanging experiences with the island’s local restaurants, they will have the opportunity to explore “the best that Santa Maria has to offer,” reads the press release.
The sharing of knowledge will similarly take place in a training course and culminate in the presentation of a dinner on July 11 to ” reflect the results of the work carried out during this meeting,” says the statement.

In Diário Insular-José Lourenço-director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.