The festival featured the presentation of the project ‘SustainableTrout - Promotion, Valorization and Sustainability of Boticas Trout’, which aims to establish trout as a differentiating element of local gastronomy and identity. The project focuses on the sustainable valorization of farmed trout through the development of innovative food products and new business opportunities.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Municipality of Boticas, the Mais Boticas-Business Association Botiquense, the AquaValor Collaborative Laboratory, and the Mountain Research Centre (CIMO-IPB) of the Polytechnic University of Bragança. The opening session was attended by Guilherme Pires (Mayor of Boticas), Paulo Aleixo (President of Mais Boticas), and Maria José Alves (Executive Director of AquaValor).
During the event, food prototypes from a new range of farmed trout-based products, such as trout ham, were presented, along with the launch of the Gastronomic Portfolio: “A new signature of Boticas Trout”, featuring recipes created by chefs Justa Nobre and Vítor Adão. A showcooking session with the chefs also took place.
The afternoon included traditional games, adventure experiences like river kayaking and treetop adventure courses, and a workshop on fishing and ecosystems. The initiative concluded with a sunset on the Beça River accompanied by live music.
The SustainableTrout project aims to valorize surplus farmed trout from the Boticas Municipality's aquaculture facility, creating a portfolio of innovative food products and the brand “Truta de Boticas” for commercial exploitation, with strong regional and cultural value. It also seeks to promote the circular economy and economic development in the Alto-Tâmega region.
