Green celebration for World Chaîne Day
MONCHIQUE || Along with the global fraternity of some 21,000 members, the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Bailliage de l’Algarve celebrated World Chaîne Day on April 24.
The theme of the day was “Green in all forms” and what could be a greener way to celebrate than a picnic/barbeque on the highest place in the Algarve? Members and their guests journeyed through the Monchique Mountains’ ecological nature reserve, past the old spa town of Caldas de Monchique, famous for its natural spring water, to the highest point Fóia, some 902 metres above sea level. There, the food truck “Alecrim” awaited them with panoramic views over the whole of the Algarve and a delightful green picnic theme setting.
Owner Marie-Anne, Consoeur and Chancelier Provincial, had arranged a feast of local delicacies for an informal lunch in the table area in front of the food truck, which just happened to be painted in the theme of the day – green. Tables had been laid with bamboo cutlery and plates, recyclable decoration and food served in durable containers, all following the ecologically green concept.
With menus printed in green and green olives and green tapenade among the starters, the picnic was coloured green from the start. Further choices to encourage the appetite included fresh goat cheese with oregano, local sausage and Monchique ham, savoury pies, chicken croquettes and cheese balls.
Individual table baskets held bread, water and bottles of Al-Mudd Rosé Negra Mole wine. This wine is produced locally in the area between Monchique and Lagos and is made from the Negra Mole grape variety grown in Monchique, at the back of Fóia.
The wine is light and dry with hints of pear and citrus and nuances of nutmeg which combined beautifully with the main course of chicken rosemary and pork skewers accompanied by rice with beans and broad beans cooked in Monchique-style and served with roasted sweet potatoes and watercress sauce.
Final treats of a delicious green cake and small marzipan bites brought the meal to a close and gave way to coffee and the special ‘aguardente’ of the area, the famous Medronho from Monchique. Medronho is distilled from fruits of the arbutus bush, the strawberry brush, aptly an evergreen shrub which grows in abundance in this area.
Dr Jean Ferran, Bailli Provincial Sul do Tejo and all participants were delighted that Paulo Amado, the Bailli Délégué of Portugal, was able to be present at this celebratory lunch.