The Brazilian Cinemateca, located in São Paulo, will host the 7th edition of the Paulista Cheese Trail Fair on August 1st and 2nd. This event promotes a weekend dedicated to tastings and purchases, bringing together 17 associated cheesemakers from various points across the state of São Paulo.
The cheeses on display are the result of a variety of production methods, ranging from controlled maturation chambers to underground caves. The recipes can be either proprietary or based on traditional cheesemaking techniques.
A highlight of this edition is the inclusion of the producer Capril Salto do Panema, which joins the association. This farm is nationally recognized for its goat cheese production, and its participation allows the Paulista Cheese Trail to once again offer products made from cow, goat, sheep, and buffalo milk.
In addition to the cheesemakers, the fair will feature over 60 exhibitors. Among them are producers of beer, bread, chocolate, and notable gastronomic establishments such as Mocotó, Boteco Bolovo, Celeiro Arimbá, Cervejaria Trilha, Mestiço Chocolates, and La Ferme Moderne.
Furthermore, the event will promote the participation of the Paulista Cheese Trail in the current season of the series 'Que Seja Eterno Enquanto Cure' (May It Be Eternal While It Ages), broadcast on GloboPlay. This production, presented by cheesemaker Dudu Prado, travels across Brazil to document the work carried out by artisanal cheesemakers.
The Paulista Cheese Trail was founded in 2017 by an initial group of ten small producers with the goal of valuing the Paulistano cheesemaking tradition. The association maintains an official map and organizes events to give visibility to its members.
Currently, the project is supported by the State Government's Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply and works to establish a quality seal for high-standard cheesemakers. The association has grown, currently counting 17 members spread throughout the state.
The fair will take place at the Brazilian Cinemateca, located at Largo Senador Raul Cardoso, 207, in Vila Clementino, São Paulo. The public can visit the venue on Saturday, between 10 am and 7 pm, and on Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm. Tickets cost R$ 12 for full entry and R$ 6 for half price, available on the Sympla platform. Children under 12 years old have free admission.
The city of Piracicaba will host the 29th Polenta Festival between July 24 and 26, an event dedicated to celebrating Italian culture in the region. Located approximately two hours from São Paulo, the festival takes place in the Santa Olímpia neighborhood, an old colony established by families from northern Italy in the late 19th century.
This annual festival brings together cultural performances, local wines, and typical cuisine. The main dish, polenta, is served in various forms, such as fried and grilled, and is accompanied by sauces. Additionally, the menu includes sausage and couscous, representing Trentino-Tyrolean cuisine. In each edition, it is estimated that about five tons of food are prepared for the participants.
The event's program includes shows, choir performances, the election of the festival queen and princess, and a traditional opening mass on Friday night, the 24th. The festival was organized by the community itself in collaboration with the municipal government, aiming to honor the cultural heritage of the regions of Trento and Tyrol, which are currently part of Italy and Austria. The immigrants who left these areas acquired the Santa Olímpia Farm in 1892, thus founding the Tyrolean Colony of Piracicaba.
The Polenta Festival began in 1991, marking one hundred years of immigration. It has now become one of the most important events in Piracicaba, attracting around 25 thousand visitors annually. Residents keep alive the architecture, cuisine, and even the dialect brought by their ancestors more than a century ago.
During the event, all commercial transactions must be made using a consumption card, which can be loaded at official counters. This payment method will be accepted at all points of sale, eliminating the need for physical cash or tokens. The payment system will only be active during the three days of the festival, and any excess credits will not be refunded after the closing.
The event will take place in Praça Jacob Stenico, in Santa Olímpia, Piracicaba. Admission is free. Parking is available, charging R$ 25 for motorcycles and R$ 30 for cars.
