Mônica Bergamo: Jacquin says he doesn’t like June food in a village signed by Alex Atala

“Just let me get my cachacinha”, says singer Mariana Aydar, drawing laughter from singer Otto and accordionist Mestrinho in the dressing room of Arraial da Arara, on Tuesday night (13). The three musicians performed at the event, which took place at the Rosewood São Paulo hotel, in the city of São Paulo.

“I only have now to give that calibration before singing on stage”, follows the artist, who returns with a glass in her hand.

The trio supports the candidacy of former president Lula (PT) for the presidency, but, despite the PT’s advantage over Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the polls, Otto says that “nothing is gained”. “We can’t sleep, we need to be alert.”

“We never expected Bolsonaro to win [em 2018]”, completes Aydar.

“I’m with them and I sign below. There are still things happening from very old centuries and it’s no longer possible. We need change”, adds Mestrinho.

Chef and presenter Erick Jacquin says he is little concerned about this year’s election. “Election doesn’t change anything,” he downplays. “Those who do commerce do not do politics”, he amends.

He, who lived for years in Alameda Rio Claro, where the Rosewood São Paulo hotel is located, visited the luxury complex for the first time because of the village. “Any party I like. Just the word party [já] it’s good,” he says.

Jacquin’s enthusiasm for the June festivities, however, does not extend to delicacies. “I’m not much of a festa junina food,” he says, mentioning the hot dog when asked which typical foods he prefers. “I like corn, but the hot dog is wonderful”, concludes the chef.

The menu at Arraial da Arara was signed by chef Alex Atala, who circulated among the guests wearing a straw hat and a plaid shirt. “Someone is touching my heart. Have you seen my heart?” he says, laughing, before turning around to display a heart embroidered on his jeans, in the region of the buttocks.

“We tried to be as faithful as possible to the June festivals. This was the great mission to serve 1,500 people within the tradition of the most incredible traditions that is the June festival”, he says about his choices for the event, which served appetizers such as cocada, hot hole, curau and meat skewers.

Known for his forays into the Amazon and for incorporating local ingredients into his cuisine, Atala prefers not to comment on the discussions about the region sparked by the disappearance of Funai licensed indigenist Bruno Pereira and journalist Dom Phillips. “Let’s not talk about it now, now it’s slutty. In the middle of the party it’s slutty. I’ve been following and I’m very sad.”

_{with BIANKA VIEIRA, KARINA MATIAS and MANOELLA SMITH}