Diogo Alexandre, a student at the Algarve Hotel and Tourism School, won the National Literary Pastry Competition with the dessert «Tormenta Sensorial», which was inspired by «Os Lusíadas» and a trip to Goa.
The weeks he lived in India last year, as part of a protocol between Turismo de Portugal and the VM Salgaocar Institute in Goa, left an impression on Diogo Alexandre, a final year student on the Kitchen Management and Production course at the School of Hotel Management and Tourism of the Algarve (EHTA).
The young man was the EHTA representative in the National Literary Pastry Competition, a competition promoted by the Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo do Oeste on the 24th and 25th of January and which brought together students from various professional schools across the country.
Surrendered to Indian culture, the student from the Algarve chose the most famous Portuguese literary work, «Os Lusíadas» by Luís de Camões, to be able to make use of what he considers to be the «magic of spices», the point where it all began.
«It was the magic of spices that made me fall in love with Indian culture. I challenged myself in this competition by leaving my comfort zone. I created a dessert based on “Os Lusíadas”, the discovery of the sea route to India. I called it “Sensory Storm” precisely because it represents the dangers that the Portuguese faced to discover India», says Diogo Alexandre.
Portugal and India are in perfect harmony in this dessert born from the creativity and talent of the Algarve student.
Shaped like a Portuguese caravel, the ice cream combines saffron, coconut and lime filaments. The base, with a sandy and crunchy texture, consists of a crumble with a fusion of Portuguese and Indian products: Portuguese almonds, cinnamon and Indian coconut chips. There is also fresh apple in an infusion of spices.
The participation of students in these competitions is part of the training model of the Algarve Hotel and Tourism School, as well as the remaining 11 schools that make up the Turismo de Portugal network of educational establishments.
Mariline Pinguinha, trainer and pastry chef, was Diogo Alexandre's advisor in this National Competition and highlights the importance of competitions in the growth of these future Tourism professionals:
«These competitions are an open door to make yourself known to the world, show your skills and socialize. You meet other bosses, influential people, you learn a little more from everyone, you make friends for life. I always advise you to take advantage of these opportunities because they are an ignition for any career».
The student from the Algarve Hotel and Tourism School was also the competitor with the highest score in this competition, divided into two categories – Literary Works and Music.
With just two weeks to finish the course, Diogo Alexandre ends his training at EHTA with a flourish.
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