Conrad Algarve in Quinta do Lago enjoyed a full house on Friday, March 31 for the ‘Food Symphony’ event, which paired classical music and gourmet cuisine from five countries – Portugal, Italy, Germany, France and Austria.
Osvalde Silva, executive chef at Conrad Algarve, was in charge of the menu while the music came courtesy of 30 musicians from the Orquestra Clássica do Sul led by maestro Rui Pinheiro.
This “sensorial experience” saw guests tasting a variety of delicious dishes, such as Ria Formosa oysters with baked Azores pineapple and anchovies; black linguini sautéed with scampi, dry tomato and capers; rhubarb sorbet; loin of charolais with dauphinoise potato and bordelaise sauce; apfelstrudel with ice cream and petit fours.
Feedback from guests was “fantastic”, the hotel’s general manager Katharina Schlaipfer told the Resident.
She also praised the maestro for coming up with the idea to pair music and food.
“He gave us the pieces and then our chef created the dishes accordingly,” Schlaipfer said, also seizing the opportunity to practice her Portuguese with guests as she plans to speak the language by June, when Conrad will have “80% of Portuguese clients”.
Maestro Rui Pinheiro was also pleased by the outcome of the event, promising “many other interesting concerts soon”.
The ‘Food Symphony’ was part of the Algarve’s International Music Festival (FIMA), which returned this month after a seven-year break.
Around 20 classical music concerts are taking place all over the Algarve until May, with over 30 national and international performers, including solo musicians, orchestras and choirs taking the stage.
The festival is also included in the ‘365 Algarve’ programme, designed to boost the region’s cultural offer during the low season.
For more information, visit www.fima.com.pt
By SARA ALVES
Photo: SARA ALVES/OPEN MEDIA GROUP
