As quickly because the A Porta competition, in Leiria, broadcasts this system, the primary initiative is to promote out the themed dinners. Whether or not the menu is aphrodisiac, vegan, Angolan, Italian or homeless, there are greater than sufficient elements to ensure a special night of dinner on the residence of somebody you have no idea, with individuals you might have by no means met earlier than. and who is aware of, make new mates.
Challenged by the group to open the doorways of its residence to strangers, Jerónimo Magalhães, 45, was initially shocked by the concept, however ended up accepting it, primarily as a result of the proceeds from the dinner went again to an establishment. Even earlier than the weather of A Porta arrived, to supply logistical assist for the dinner, Jerónimo had already set the desk, below the veranda, as he insisted on having the whole lot prepared prematurely.
The lady, Dina Fonseca, 47, confronted the proposal to make the home out there for the occasion as a problem. “Those that signed up didn’t know the place they got here from, nor did we all know who they got here from,” he states. Though she felt nervous about not figuring out how individuals would react, she exhaled when the primary visitor, Telma Fontes, obtained a cheerful expression as quickly as she entered the patio, on the entrance of which vegetation with crimson flowers didn’t go unnoticed.
Artwork in a fenced
Sooner or later, the grandmother’s outdated fence was reworked into an area devoted to artwork, which Dina made a degree of exhibiting to her visitors. A visible artist, that is the place he teaches kids to provide wings to creativity, not earlier than coaching them to reap the benefits of the vary of movement, as most of them are used to having their arms near their our bodies, as a consequence of using methods.
Whereas Dina and Jerónimo performed the position of hosts, chef Rodrigo Cavalheiro, 47, was centered on ending the starter: bruschetta with zucchini, eggplant and roasted peppers, “seasoned with only a contact of salt, good olive oil and toast”. With 20 years of expertise in cooking, the Brazilian moved to Portugal in 1998 and has a pizzeria in Marinha Grande, the place he lives, so he was chosen by the group to arrange the Italian dinner, whose fundamental course was spinach lasagne, tomato and ricotta.
With out the assist of the restaurant’s crew, the chef had “half Italian and half African”, as he calls himself, with the assistance of António Fonseca, 16, Dina’s son, who supplied logistical assist and embellished the chocolate brownie with mascarpone cream. “I solely helped with the best duties,” he admits. “I prefer to prepare dinner and beautify, and I felt snug as a result of the chef didn’t put a lot stress.”
outdated disgrace
Patrícia Marques, 42, born in Viseu however residing in Leiria, cherished the expertise. “It was the primary time I obtained a spot,” he says. Nonetheless, he admits that he by no means tried very arduous, as a result of he felt “ashamed”. “I believed I may really feel like an outsider, however this yr I made a decision to get out of my consolation zone and meet new individuals, who additionally wished to satisfy new individuals,” she explains. He was accompanied by his 12-year-old son Daniel.
“I misplaced the concern of showing myself and I go away right here very comfortable, as a result of I’ll have the telephone numbers of those necessary individuals in my life,” Patricia explains. “This concept [jantares temáticos] it is very cool. It is form of that factor the place we’re all the identical. All of us need affection, love and companionship, “he concludes.” To ensure that them to get to know me, I informed many episodes and issues that I could not inform individuals I’m nearer to. “
“We have been strangers, however we went from right here well-known,” confirms Rúben Conde, 28, who went to dinner along with his girlfriend Sandra Godinho, additionally 28 years outdated. They signed up on the recommendation of a pal who “actually preferred” to attend a theme dinner in one other version of the competition. “I preferred the concept of coming to satisfy completely different individuals and share tales and experiences,” says Rúben. And it has already been agreed that Patrícia will meet them once more at Coucinheira’s get together, in Amor.
Mutual pal
Diana Catarino, 33, went alone to Dina and Jeronimo’s home. “My mates went to the aphrodisiac dinner, however once I tried to enroll, it was already offered out,” he says. “That is why I got here to this. The one particular person I knew was Rodrigo, as a result of we just lately performed collectively in Literary Wrestling,” the saxophonist explains. Nonetheless, he ended up discovering that he had a mutual pal with Sandra and Rúben, to whom he despatched a photograph of the couple.
“The dinner was spectacular. We discuss and somebody is aware of somebody [amigos em comum]. We aren’t wild animals. We have now to speak to individuals, “explains Diana Catarino.” Other than the conviviality, the meals was superb. The star was Rodrigo, however I additionally preferred seeing the canine [dos donos da casa] on stage “, he jokes. The saxophone stayed at residence, as a result of it additionally wants moments of leisure.
This was the fourth time that João Paulo Silva went to a theme dinner. “We created a gaggle on whatsapp and we did [atentos]”he says, referring to the three co-workers who accompanied him.” Going into the unknown and having contact with completely different individuals is essentially the most fascinating factor, as is being in a home we have no idea, the place we’re welcome with open arms. “It is an concept out of the field,” he defends.
snail dinner
João Paulo Silva ensures that each one dinners organized by A Porta have been “spectacular”. Nonetheless, he says that essentially the most “difficult” was the one the place all of the dishes have been made with snails, even the dessert, in a home on the river Lis, in S. Romão. “I used to be by no means interested in snails. I preferred it, however I by no means went again to consuming it after that,” he assures.
Along with making ready all of the dinner dishes, which have been extremely praised by the visitors, Rodrigo Cavalheiro watched the musical second on the finish of the night, accompanied by his guitar. Vocalist and drummer within the band Born a Lion, he launched his first solo album 2018, “Passarela de relâmpagos”. Earlier than he began enjoying, he defined that his music was not about intervention, however about regret. “If my mom noticed this, she would say: Rodrigo, you fed individuals to make them vomit later,” he joked.
Though the theme dinners solely befell for 2 days, the A Porta competition continues till this Sunday, the nineteenth. This system may be consulted right here: https://2022.festivalaporta.pt/programa/.