Lagos Food Sessions to take place between May 21 and 29

New gastronomic event Lagos Food Sessions will take place in the Western Algarve town between May 21 and 29.

Described by organisers as a “seven-day gastronomic experience built with the spirit of a festival, but with restaurants and experiences as headliners”, Lagos Food Sessions is aimed at people who “want more from a gastronomic festival than just tastings and culinary demonstrations”.

“In the first edition of Lagos Food Sessions, food is not just food,” they say. “It is also explored as a process, experience, art and business.”

There will be dinners dedicated to typical Algarvian dishes, workshops, talks and a range of gastronomic experiences to enjoy.

The event is organised by local residents Lee Moulton and Maria Loureiro de Lemos (who have also organised other events such as the Algarve edition of Movember) with the support of the local council.

“We want to show the gastronomic diversity that exists in Lagos. The Food Sessions are just as much about food and drinks as they are about inspiration and connection with the community,” Moulton says in the event’s press release.

“The restaurant sector has gone through some difficult moments in the last two years, but the local population has also spent a long time isolated. We want to give a boost to local restaurants, but also give the local community an opportunity to get to know a lot of the diversity of what is (well!) done in Lagos before the summer madness,” added Loureiro de Lemos.

Thanks to the local council’s involvement, some of the events will be free for local residents but held on a first-come, first-served basis, such as a tour of OstraSelect’s oyster production, an introduction to wine tasting at Travia Wine & Food, and the event’s closing dinner.

Gastronomic talks focusing on subjects such as sustainability, food tendencies for the next 10 years and communication in the kitchen will also be free to attend.

The programme also features a series of specialised workshops. Beer&Co will organise a craft beer workshop which will include recipes, lunch, a diploma and an opportunity for participants to make (and taste) their own Blond Ale, while Black&White Coffee will host a workshop on Latte Art for those who have always wanted to learn how to make “foam hearts in their cappuccino”.

The full list of events and prices can be found on the event’s website, with some events and details still to be announced.

“In this first edition, we chose to host smaller events, so spaces are very limited and registering is mandatory,” the organisers say.