«The balance is extremely positive». This is the assessment that José Carlos Rolo, mayor of Albufeira, makes of the XVII European Congress of Wine and Gastronomic Confraternities, which ended this Sunday, November 10, where there was even time… for an anthem dedicated to shrimp.
There were “a high number of confraternities present here from different regions of Europe and Macao. More than 600 people had the opportunity to appreciate our landscapes, our gastronomy, traditions and culture, and there are many who say they will return», says José Carlos Rolo.
«It is proof that Albufeira is still active in the so-called low season. I believe the result could not be better. They are all very satisfied», said the mayor of Albufeira, after a lunch at EMA – Espaço Multiusos de Albufeira, of hundreds of confreres from 207 wine and gastronomic confraternities from Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Belgium, Hungary, Macau and Portugal.
Lunch offered several Algarve specialties, such as horse mackerel, Algarve carrots and other appetizers, as a starter, followed by the traditional chickpea with sweet potatoes and meat, delighting diners, and ending with demonstrative miniatures of the region's sweets. All accompanied with Barrocal wine.
The Rancho Folclorico de Albufeira animated the moment and explained the costumes and ways of life of yesteryear. The applause that followed went to the Alentejo sing, in charge of the choir of the Casa do Alentejo in Albufeira.
They weren't the only ones: to say goodbye, the Andalusians of the Cofradia Gastronomica “Los Esteros” also sang the hymn to the dish that dominates the brotherhood (“tortilhitas de camarones”) and offered the organizers of this congress a miniature replica of the San Fernando gate , municipality of Cádiz, where the brotherhood is based.
If São Fernando was remembered, São Bartolomeu dos Mártires was acclaimed by everyone at the morning mass at the Igreja Matriz in Albufeira, as the canonization of the Portuguese Friar Bartolomeu dos Mártires, decided by Pope Francisco, was yesterday.
With a Eucharist celebrated by Father Flávio Martins, there was also a moment of blessing the standards.
After the group photography, the confreres paraded through the streets of Albufeira.
"Long vita a Portugal!" were the words of the president of CEUCO, Carlos Martín Cosme, demonstrating his gratitude for the collaboration and cordiality of the "Confraria dos Gastronomos do Algarve, in the person of José Manuel Alves, Secretary of State for Fisheries José Apolinário and the mayor of Albufeira José Rolo».
With the promise of «without a doubt» return, this official also considered that «the seriousness with which Portugal works on issues that concern its historical interests, are demonstrative of the Portuguese spirit».
If Portugal is known for having «one of the best cuisines in the world», this is due «to the intrinsic quality of the Portuguese, which is to be excellent in navigation and in good contact with other peoples».
For his part, José Manuel Alves was «very satisfied».
«It's the third European congress I've done in the Algarve, since 2009, and this was the one with the biggest expansion. In this edition, we had twice as many nights as we had in 2011», stated the grand master, chairman of the organizing committee and author of the oldest gastronomy website, “Gastronomias” in Portugal, since 1996.
«This challenge was very gratifying, because it was a goal to surpass the thousand overnight stays and that was it. The only reason why no more confraternities came because we had a limit of room seats for the Gala Dinner. Moreover, many of those here are present, they came to Albufeira more than a week ago and 38 of them, all Italians, will only leave on the next 13th», said José Manuel Alves.
And so it was, in an atmosphere of friendship and good disposition, that Albufeira said goodbye to three days of tribute to the tradition of the European table, remaining in the memory of all the blue cheeses of Asturias, the Portuguese fish, the shrimp tortillas from Cádiz, the traditional Greek cuisine with its dried fish and yoghurts, the so-called “fusion” cuisine of Macao, the French “high expression” wines, the most notable beer in Belgium, with the recipe from the year 1850 made by the monks, as well as the various Portuguese delicacies, sweet and savory and the wines of Portugal.
In addition, there was also the taste of violet candies from Toulouse, whose owner of the only candy factory, Madame Claudine Couderc, born in the 30s, never missed one of the CEUCO congresses, having been one of the most cherished presences at this congress in Albufeira.
Rui André, mayor of Monchique, was Enthroned honorary confrere of the Confraria dos Gastronomos do Algarve, within the scope of this initiative.
Photos: Albufeira Chamber
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