The Gastronomic Confraternity Panela ao Lume marked four decades of activity in Guimarães with a commemorative Chapter. The event gathered confrades, representatives of other confraternities, and guests, in a program dedicated to gastronomy as an expression of heritage, culture, and identity.
The solemn session took place in the Noble Hall of the Sociedade Martins Sarmento and was marked by the enthronement of the Mayor of Guimarães, Ricardo Araújo, as Honorary Confrade, as well as the admission of new confrades.
Ricardo Araújo highlighted the journey of Panela ao Lume in preserving gastronomic heritage, stating that "forty years ago, in Guimarães, someone understood something before almost everyone else: that what we put on the table is also heritage". He also emphasized gastronomy as a dimension that crosses "identity, culture, economy, and tourism", contributing to affirming the uniqueness of Guimarães.
On World Tourism Day, Ricardo Araújo underscored the role of gastronomy in the city's tourist experience, advocating for a visit that goes beyond monumental heritage to discover "the flavors of Guimarães". "It is often at the table that a territory ceases to be just a visited place and becomes a memorable and remembered experience", he added.
For Gonçalo Torgal, Mordomo-Mor of the Confraternity, the 40th-anniversary celebration represents a moment of pride and collective recognition. "It is a pride to celebrate these 40 years in Guimarães, the city where Panela ao Lume was born and where it has built its path", he highlighted, emphasizing the desire to "preserve and value what is ours".
The commemorative program included the discussion "40 years later, The Past and the Future. Portuguese Gastronomy", moderated by Chef Hélio Loureiro, with the participation of historian Professor Doutor Luís Reis Torgal and representatives of various confraternities. The commemorations began with a mass at the Church of S. Domingos, in memory of deceased confrades, and concluded with a celebratory lunch at the Casa Florêncio, where the traditional stuffed bucho from Guimarães was served.
