Riverside cuisine is defined by the use of natural resources from the forest and rivers, such as fish, cassava, açaí, and native fruits, and is deeply connected to the way of life of these communities. To conclude the series of reports by the Centre of Excellence on the participants of the reality show Escola de Sabores (School of Flavours), we present the riverside cooks and their partner nutritionists.
The project is an initiative of the National Fund for Educational Development (FNDE), the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), and the WFP Centre of Excellence Against Hunger in Brazil.
Meet the riverside participants of Escola de Sabores, who revive culinary traditions and strengthen the identity of riverbank communities across different regions of Brazil:
After years as a teacher, Antônia de Souza found in the kitchen a new way to teach. Today, she works as a cook at Pré-Escola 12 de Outubro, in Jordão (AC), and joins the reality show alongside nutritionist Francisco Jorge de Araújo.
In Soure, on Marajó Island (PA), Genilma Souza Silva has been working for a decade in the Municipal Kitchen, serving five schools and more than 1,300 children. Her partner nutritionist is Carolina Solange Barbosa Ramires.
From Salvaterra (PA), also on Marajó Island, Osvaldino Teófilo da Conceição grew up helping his father on the farm. He specialized in baking and now divides his time between the bakery and the school, bringing his culinary experience to the children of his hometown. He participates with nutritionist Emilli Roberta de Souza Gomes.
Maria das Graças Pereira has worked as a housekeeper, manicurist, and saleswoman, but for the past 15 years she has been a cook at Centro Educacional Infantil Theopompo Nery, in Afuá (PA), and has mastered the preparation of açaí, typical of her region. She joins the reality show with nutritionist Neila Guedes Neves.
After working in restaurants, Maise Ferreira de Jesus found her calling in school meals. She works at EBM José do Valle Pereira, in Florianópolis (SC), and shares her routine with nutritionist Lidiamara Dornelles de Souza.
Riverside schools face unique challenges, such as access by boat and calendars adapted to floods and droughts. Just like the guidelines for Riverside School Education and the PNAE, the reality show reinforces the importance of respecting traditional food practices of these communities, ensuring menus that reflect their habits and culture.
In Escola de Sabores, these professionals show how ingredients from family farming and riverside traditions are transformed into dishes that combine flavor, history, and identity.
Escola de Sabores (School of Flavour)
Broadcast:
Band: Saturdays at 12 p.m.
Sabor & Arte Channel: Saturdays at 9 p.m.
Terraviva Channel: Sundays at 8 p.m.
Production: Newco Pay TV
Partnership: WFP Centre of Excellence Against Hunger in Brazil, FNDE/MEC, and ABC/MRE
Previous episodes are available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wfpbrasil