As quickly because the A Porta pageant, in Leiria, broadcasts this system, the theme dinners are the primary initiative that sells out. Whether or not the menu is aphrodisiac, vegan, Angolan, Italian or homeless, consuming dinner on the house of somebody you have no idea, with folks you’ve gotten by no means met earlier than, is greater than sufficient substances to ensure a distinct night. and who is aware of, make new associates.
Challenged by the group to open the doorways of its house to strangers, Jerónimo Magalhães, 45, was initially stunned by the thought, 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 offer logistical assist for the dinner, Jerónimo had already set the desk, below the porch, when he insisted on having all the pieces prepared prematurely.
The lady, Dina Fonseca, 47, met the proposal to make the home out there for the occasion as a problem. – The one who signed up didn’t know the place they got here from, nor did we all know who they got here from, he states. Regardless of feeling anxious to not understand how folks would react, she breathed a sigh of aid when the primary visitor, Telma Fontes, acquired a cheerful expression as quickly as she entered the terrace, on the entrance to whose crops with purple flowers didn’t go unnoticed.
Artwork in an enclosure
Upfront, the grandmother’s outdated enclosure was remodeled right into a room devoted to artwork, which Dina made some extent of displaying her company. A visible artist, that is the place he teaches kids to provide wings to creativity, not till he trains them to make the most of the vary of movement, as most of them are used to having their arms near their physique, because of using applied sciences.
Whereas Dina and Jerónimo performed the position of host, chef Rodrigo Cavalheiro (47) was targeted on finishing the starter: bruschetta with squash, eggplant and fried peppers, “seasoned with only a trace of salt, good olive oil and toast”. With 20 years of cooking expertise, 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 predominant course was spinach lasagne, tomato and ricotta.
With out the assist of the restaurant’s group, 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 only duties,” he admits. “I prefer to prepare dinner and enhance, and I felt comfy as a result of the chef didn’t put a lot stress.”
outdated disgrace
Patrícia Marques, 42, was born in Viseu however lived in Leiria and beloved the expertise. “It was the primary time I acquired a spot,” he says. Nevertheless, he admits that he by no means tried very laborious, as a result of he felt “ashamed”. “I believed I might really feel like an outsider, however this yr I made a decision to get out of my consolation zone and meet new folks, who additionally wished to fulfill new folks,” she explains. As firm, he took his 12-year-old son Daniel.
“I misplaced the worry of unveiling myself, and I go away right here very glad, as a result of I’ll have the telephone numbers of those vital folks in my life,” Patricia explains. “This concept [jantares temáticos] it’s extremely cool. It is type of the factor the place we’re all equal. All of us need affection, love and socializing, “he concludes.” To ensure that them to get to know me, I informed many episodes and issues that I could not inform folks I’m nearer to. “
“We had been strangers, however we left right here identified,” confirms Rúben Conde (28), who went to dinner together with her boyfriend Sandra Godinho, additionally 28 years outdated. They signed up for recommendation from a good friend who “actually loved” attending a theme dinner in one other version of the pageant. “I preferred the thought of coming to fulfill completely different folks and share tales and experiences,” says Rúben. And it has already been agreed that Patrícia will meet them once more at Coucinheira’s social gathering, in Amor.
Mutual good friend
Diana Catarino, 33, went alone to Dina and Jeronimo’s home. “My associates went to the aphrodisiac dinner, however after I tried to enroll, it was already offered out,” he says. “That is why I got here to this one. The one particular person I knew was Rodrigo, as a result of we just lately performed collectively in Literary Wrestling,” the saxophonist explains. Nevertheless, he ended up discovering that he had a good friend in widespread with Sandra and Rúben, to whom he despatched an image of the couple.
“The dinner was spectacular. We speak and somebody is aware of somebody [amigos em comum]. We’re not wild animals. We’ve to speak to folks, “explains Diana Catarino.” Along with being collectively, the meals was excellent. The star was Rodrigo, however I additionally actually loved watching the canine [dos donos da casa] on stage », he jokes. The saxophone stayed at house, as a result of it additionally wants moments of free time.
This was the fourth time João Paulo Silva went to a theme dinner. “We created a gaggle on whatsapp, and we had been [atentos]”,” he says, referring to the three staff who accompanied him. “Going to the unknown and having contact with completely different folks is probably the most fascinating factor, along with being in a home we have no idea, the place we’re effectively acquired. with open arms “, he defends.” It is an thought proper out of the field. “
snail dinner
João Paulo Silva ensures that every one the dinners organized by A Porta had been “spectacular”. Nevertheless, he says that probably the most “difficult” was the one the place all of the dishes had been made with snails, even the dessert, in a home by 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 had been extremely praised by the company, Rodrigo Cavalheiro supplied the musical second on the finish of the night, within the firm of his guitar. Vocalist and drummer for the band Born a Lion, he launched his first solo album in 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 folks to make them vomit later,'” he joked.
Though the theme dinners solely occurred for 2 days, the A Porta pageant continues till this Sunday the nineteenth. This system will be seen right here: https://2022.festivalaporta.pt/programa/.