It's called Laivos, it was created to combine local gastronomy with tourism and research and now has a space, in Querença, that «is much more than a cafe».
This is how creator Ivani Farias describes this project, which was born from a challenge launched by QRER – Cooperative for the Development of Low Density Territories.
Ivani Farias is Brazilian, graduated in physical education and, later, in nutrition, an area in which she obtained a master's degree. After a few years teaching at university in Brazil, the professional decided to come to Coimbra to do a PhD in Food Heritage, Cultures and Identities.
«For my doctorate, I decided to do my research in Portugal and chose Loulé, with the topic of my research being Food and Health in the municipality of Loulé in three areas: Quarteira, because it is coastal, Querença, barrocal, and the mountains because it is mountains, three very different realities. Doing the research for the thesis, the idea of transforming products came up and I created Laivos», he explains to Sul Informação.
At that time, he says, «the idea was to do the project and then leave and leave it with someone, but the pandemic came, I stayed, and my son, who came here when he was 10 years old and is now 16, wanted to stay. in Portugal. I continued with the project and that's how Laivos was refined and reached the point it is today».
In Largo da Igreja de Querença, we now find this Gastronomic and Cultural Center, which «is much more than a cafe». For the table, there are cakes, pies and jams made with local products, which Ivani collects from the surrounding landscape and makes based on studies that he has also developed.
«90% of Laivos products – which are sweets, chocolates, truffles, cakes and pies – are consumed here, but there are also those who buy to take away», he explains.
Although the economic return is not yet very great, the person responsible emphasizes that «the acceptability and feedback It’s very positive”, and there are already “several regular customers”.
«We are starting slowly. We know this period from January to February is usually slow, but the choice of the opening date was purposeful to have this experience of the business, still alone, although the idea is to hire another person in April», he says.
Also in April, Laivos will begin to receive other initiatives, all with the aim of «enriching the cultural and intangible heritage of the Algarve».
«On the 13th, we will have the first exhibition here of an artist from Loulé, who produces using recyclable materials. The space will be open for cultural and local events that involve people", she states, stressing that the community is already represented in the decoration, given that most of the utensils that decorate the walls were donated and tell "a story".
Furthermore, Laivos will be the stage for workshops and lectures related to health and food and is linked to “Vidas Cultivadas”, «a social responsibility project that began two years ago and which consists of working with elderly people to promote health, using gardens as a tool to boost activities».
The space is open from 10am to 00pm and will soon close on Wednesdays.
Photos: Mariana Sedge | Sul Informação
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