Episode 4 of the reality show Escola de Sabores selected the two finalists from the team of indigenous cooks based on dishes created using ingredients chosen at random by the participants: fresh cassava, cassava flour, water flour, tapioca and tucupi. The challenge showed that the same food, cassava, can be used to create multiple recipes that reflect different traditions and techniques.
The winning dish was fish pirarucu with maniçoba and banana farofa, presented by Alison da Silva, from the Indigenous Community of São Gabriel da Cachoeira (AM). Second place went to Francieli Kunhã Oryba, from the Indigenous Community of Aracruz (ES), who prepared a chicken broth with cassava and biju.
Indigenous leadership
Among the judges, the special guest for this episode was educator and indigenous leader Jerá Guarani. A pedagogue from USP, she grew up speaking her language and only learned Portuguese later in life, becoming a teacher and director of the Gwyra Pepó Indigenous School. Today, she is one of the leading voices for healthy eating and the preservation of Guarani culture. On the programme, she presented the participants with a song in Guarani to wish them good luck.
For chef and regular judge on the programme, Bel Coelho, the dishes presented by the indigenous cooks reflected the formation of our cultural and food identity.
Episode 5
In the next episode, which will air on 17 January at 12 noon on TV Band, the six finalists (two quilombolas, two riverine communities and two indigenous communities) will meet again in an individual competition. This time, the challenge is to cross borders and create a dish that unites Brazil, Africa and Latin America.
The reality show Escola de Sabores is the result of a partnership between the National Fund for Education Development (FNDE), the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) and the WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger in Brazil and is broadcast by TV Band on Saturdays at 12 noon.
All previous episodes are available on the Centre of Excellence against Hunger YouTube channel: WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger – YouTube
Escola de Sabores (School of Flavours)
Broadcast:
Band: Saturdays at 12 noon
Sabor & Arte channel: Saturdays at 9 p.m., with reruns throughout the week
Terraviva channel: Sundays at 8 p.m.
Production: Newco Pay TV
Partnership: WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger in Brazil, FNDE and ABC