Words: Cláudia Pinto
As children, we are taught not to play with fire, to respect the sea and therefore the water, that words are carried away by the wind and that earth and limestone are very poor coverings. These are probably Portuguese teachings and traditions (which make any translation or explanation difficult), but we are intimately linked to the elements of nature; otherwise, we wouldn’t have lived with them from the cradle.
These elements are the inspiration for many brands, concepts, spaces, restaurants… countless projects. In this Choices with Soul, you’ll find out about some of the projects with a Made in Portugal stamp that meet these four elements.
Chefs on fire
Play with fire and you will get burned. That’s the popular wisdom. But that has never stopped the chefs who take part in the Chefs on Fire gastronomic festival, where Portuguese and international chefs cook using only fire and wood.
The concept was dreamt up by Gonçalo Castelo-Branco when he had to organise his sister’s birthday party. Gonçalo, who had never done anything like this before, took eight lamb legs, ten chickens, ten ribs, two bellies and pineapples, hung them from trees and at four in the morning made a fire on the ground. Then he dug a hole, buried 25 kilos of vegetables and cooked them with the heat of the fire on the surface.
This experience led Gonçalo to ask himself: if he could do this, what would really famous chefs do, and how would they do it? The festival takes place in Cascais and has already had pop-ups in Madrid, Foz Côa and Aveiro.
Frambooesas
All seasons are good for exploring different elements, but summer is perfect for a dip in the sea, pool or river. And for these moments, there’s nothing better than wearing Portuguese clothes.
It all began in 2015, at the hands of Teresa. An economist by profession, but passionate about the world of fashion, her main goal was to collect smiles. She created Frambooesas, a bikini brand that tells a new story each season.
“My story has been written like this, between dreams, challenges and full satisfaction with the results achieved, all thanks to you, who are by my side and motivate me every day”, says the founder on the brand’s website.
Montimerso
In the heart of the Alentejo, an invitation to retreat with views of the Alqueva. The new rural hotel promises a true immersion in peace and tranquillity.
Located in Monsaraz, Montimerso is part of the DarkSky Alqueva Reserve, which is synonymous with an experience that touches the magic of the Alentejo starry sky.
The whitewashed walls typical of the Alentejo are a perfect symbiosis with the modern décor of the space, which has a total of 15 suites, four of which are premium suites with views of the Alqueva.
Viúva Lamego
When we talk about the Viúva Lamego, we’re talking about tradition, heritage and history dating back 175 years. And we’re talking about one of the most recognisable elements of our culture: the tile. “Preserve the heritage. Protect the future”. This is the purpose of the brand. But its history is intertwined with the history of the tile itself. The factory was founded in 1894 by António Lamego, and shortly after his death the company was taken over by his wife, then known as “Lamego’s widow”.
In the early years, the factory produced mainly utilitarian items in red clay, white clay tiles and some earthenware. In the 20th century, however, tiles became Viúva Lamego’s main product.
Over the years, the factory has opened its doors in a pioneering way, and many of the designers have developed their work alongside the craftsmen, in their own workshops set up in the factory. We’re talking about Siza Vieira, Joana Vasconcelos, Manuel Cargaleiro.
