Documentary “A Dona do Tacho” shows the journey of Minas Gerais’ farm-to-table restaurant Xapuri.
Widely considered the gastronomic capital of Brazil, Minas Gerais has a place in Brazilians’ hearts as the home of the country’s comfort food. Among thousands of delectable restaurants in the state’s capital, Belo Horizonte, recognized by UNESCO as one of the world’s most creative cities of gastronomy, there’s one place that stands out for its authenticity and history: Xapuri.
Founded by Dona Nelsa Trombino, daughter of Italian immigrants, the cook dedicated her life to promoting the typical food of Minas Gerais. She opened Xapuri in 1987, which rapidly became one of the best regional cuisine restaurants in the country. Her fascinating journey is shown in the documentary A Dona do Tacho (The Owner of the Copper Pot) by Marcelo Wanderley, recently released.
Set inside a farmhouse barn, the rustic building features breezy open sides from where visitors can watch the pots gurgling away over the traditional wood fired stoves. Food here is typically presented in heavy, feel-good dishes, while key ingredients include pork, beef, chicken, beans, cassava flour, corn, and regional cheeses, all washed down with locally-produced cachaça.
The local culture is centered around every step in the food cycle, from cultivating local produce to carefully preparing rich, flavorsome dishes. Xapuri’s menu offers mouthwatering choices like carne de panela, a juicy pot roast, or their famous Costelinha da Sinhá, a family recipe made of pork ribs and manioc. The dessert buffet also offers several delicious options like doce de leite, brigadeiro, quindim, and fresh local fruits.
For serious foodies, A Dona do Tacho is a must-watch about the journey that made Xapuri a place of holy worship for gourmands in the know.
Watch with English subtitles at Cumbucca.com.br
