Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada 2022 in Cocais, MG
10th Festa da Quitanda and 9th Festival da Goiabada
After two years without an in-person edition, the Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada (quitandas are traditional homemade baked goods; goiabada is guava paste) once again filled the Colonial Village of Cocais, in Barão de Cocais, with color and aroma in their tenth and ninth editions. The festival returned in great style on April 30 and May 1, 2022, drawing record crowds and reinforcing the event's role as one of the main symbols of the food and culture of the Serra do Caraça.
Organized by the Barão de Cocais City Hall, through the Departments of Culture and Tourism and Economic Development, with the support of EMATER-MG and the Cocais Community Association, the 2022 edition marked the return of the town's cultural and culinary activities. Over the two days, residents, visitors and tourists enjoyed the best of Minas Gerais cooking, cultural attractions and shows by local artists in an atmosphere of joy and reunion.
The return of the tastiest festival in the Serra do Caraça
The Praça do Rosário, the heart of the Colonial Village of Cocais, was the setting for the in-person return of the Festa da Quitanda — which became the largest event in its history to date. On Saturday, the public was welcomed with the traditional Café na Praça (coffee in the square), followed by cooking workshops, cultural performances and concerts.
The Secretary of Culture and Tourism, Gabriel Cassoli, highlighted the special significance of this edition:
"It was a weekend full of emotion and learning. We delivered an event worthy of what Barão de Cocais and the district of Cocais deserve. This return reinforces how much we believe in culture and tourism as drivers of development."
The 2022 edition was also an example of organization and inclusion, with a varied program designed for all ages — from children's workshops to cultural and food activities celebrating the Minas Gerais way of life.
Shows and attractions that livened up the Colonial Village
On the first day of the festival, the stage welcomed the Banda Santa Cecília, Trio Jucafé and, closing the night with plenty of energy, the band Só Parênt, which got the crowd going with Brazilian popular music and Minas Gerais forró hits.
On Sunday, the morning began with the traditional Walk "Pelas Trilhas do Barão e Educação Patrimonial: Desenhando Nossa História" (Along the Baron's Trails and Heritage Education: Drawing Our History), combining nature, culture and learning. In the afternoon, the public enjoyed performances by the group Chorinho – Café com Prosa and Trio Raiz, culminating in a memorable close with the duo Sérgio Augusto & Bruno.
These performances reinforced the festival's role as a meeting of music, food and the traditions of inland Minas Gerais, celebrating the welcoming spirit of the Serra do Caraça.
Quitanda Contest: tradition, flavor and creativity
The Quitanda Contest, one of the most eagerly awaited parts of the program, once again showcased the talent and dedication of the quitandeiras and quitandeiros of Barão de Cocais. The public could follow the judging up close, carried out by a specialist panel that assessed flavor, aroma, originality and presentation.
Breads and Ring Breads Category
1st – Recheado de Jabu – Maria Rita de Alcântara Martins
2nd – Fatias de Ouro – Renilda Aparecida Fonseca
3rd – Quero Mais – Juliana Lopes Santos de Oliveira
Cakes and Pies Category
1st – Doce Mamão – Sara Alcântara Martins
2nd – Herança da Fazenda – Piedade Serapia da Silva Romão
3rd – Dos Anjos – Renilda Aparecida Fonseca
Biscuits, Ring Cookies and Small Cookies Category
1st – Encantada – Dalva Aparecida Soares
2nd – Minduim – Renilda Aparecida Fonseca
3rd – Cascudinho – Albertina Leite Moreira
Savory Quitandas Category
1st – Cocaiense – José Geraldo Ângelo Gonçalves
2nd – Trouxinha Caipira – Maria Rita de Alcântara Martins
3rd – Aroma do Campo – Adriana Maria Duarte
Besides the traditional categories, the event also celebrated the talent of the new generation with the 8th Junior Quitandeiros Contest, which delighted the public and kept alive the heritage of the quitandeiras of the Serra do Caraça.
8th Junior Quitandeiros Contest – 2022
1st – Mané Gostoso – Joyce Rafaela de Souza
2nd – Sonho Real – Ana Lívia Dias da Silva
3rd – Favo de Mel – Júnior Lopes de Oliveira
The variety of recipes, the creative names and the care with which each dish was prepared showed that the art of quitanda remains strong and continues to inspire generations in Barão de Cocais.
Workshops and theater: learning and fun
The 2022 program also made room for learning and creativity. The cooking and educational workshops brought together children and adults, offering direct contact with the world of artisanal food. Highlights included the workshops "Quitandinhas Kids", with nutritionist Maria Aparecida Costa, "How to Make Goiabada Cascão" and "Bolinha de Sabão" (Soap Bubbles), which entertained and taught at the same time.
The public was also moved by the play "Teatro e Prosa – Estórias de Chicó e João Grilo", which brought northeastern humor and culture to the festival stage, blending art, tradition and literature in a light, charming way.
The Secretary of Economic Development, Leandro Fontana, highlighted the importance of the moment:
"Holding this event is essential for the growth of our town, supporting rural producers, quitandeiras and family farming. EMATER and the Rural Workers' Union play a key role in this process."
Celebration, tradition and responsibility
Besides all the enthusiasm and joy, the 2022 Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada followed COVID-19 prevention guidelines, ensuring a safe environment for everyone.
The event reaffirmed its relevance as a tool for promoting tourism, culture and local development, showing how tradition and modernity can go hand in hand to strengthen the regional identity of the Serra do Caraça.
