Opinion – Marcelo Katsuki: Coffee Festival in SP and news on the market shelves

The Coffee Festival takes place in São Paulo between the 24th and 26th of June, at the Bienal Pavilion, at Ibirapuera. The event is over 10 years old and has already been held in cities such as Amsterdam, Cape Town, Los Angeles, Milan, New York and Paris. Here, tickets start at R$50 and entitle you to coffee tastings from the main brands in Brazil, educational and interactive workshops, experience with baristas and chefs. The Bienal is located at Parque do Ibirapuera, Av. Pedro Álvares Cabral, s/n, Vila Mariana. Tickets here.

The festival “Do Dendê ao Cacau” will be held between the 14th and 28th of June, in Ilhéus, Bahia, in different spaces of the city. Restaurants, bars, beach huts and inns participate. The event will also feature a gastronomic arena where lectures and class-shows will be held with chefs such as Júnior França, Moa Santana, Don Fabrizio and Jimmy Ogro, in addition to the cachaça sommelier and Zulu bartender. In the photo, a dish by chef Dani Façanha, from Pousada Morro dos Navegantes, who is participating in the festival. More info, on the profile @festivaldendeaocacau.

Jack Daniel’s has just launched two of its canned drinks in Brazil: Jack & Cola, made with Cola whiskey and soda, and Jack Honey & Lemonade, which mixes a touch of honey with traditional lemonade. “These are premium ready-to-drink cocktails and bring Jack’s quality in a practical format, to be drunk anywhere”, says Caio Almeida, the brand’s marketing manager in Brazil. The drink has an average price of R$ 13 and can be found in supermarkets and liquor stores.

Chef Carla Pernambuco launched this week at Naturaltech, the largest fair of natural products in Latin America, a ubá mango chutney with Pimenta Assîsî in partnership with Soul Brasil Cousine. With a bittersweet and slightly peppery flavor, the product can be used to enhance the flavor of chicken, pork, fish and vegetables. More info on @soulbrasilcuisine.