Festival Sabores do Morro 2018 in Morro D'Água Quente, MG

Anyone traveling along the MG-129, the highway linking Mariana and Santa Bárbara, would hardly imagine that, among the mountains and bends, there is a district that has become a reference in community cooking. In 2018, Morro D'Água Quente reaffirmed this leading role with the 3rd Festival Sabores do Morro (Flavors of the Morro Festival), establishing the event as a tourist and cultural attraction in the region.

Held on December 15 and 16, the festival brought together residents, producers, visitors and tourists in a setting that combined traditional flavors, music and the striking landscape of the Serra do Caraça. The third edition showed that the event had matured and secured a permanent place on the local calendar.

More than a food gathering, Sabores do Morro came to represent the appreciation of a way of life. Simple dishes, recipes inherited from generations and artisanal products shared space with stories of resilience, collective work and cultural identity.

The 3rd Festival Sabores do Morro thus reinforced the district's role as one of the most authentic places around the Serra do Caraça, combining tradition, tourism and local development.

The strength of traditional cooking in Morro D'Água Quente

The foundation of the Festival Sabores do Morro has always been regional cooking, and in 2018 this was even more evident. Seasonings, typical dishes, wines, liqueurs, cheeses, craft beers, honey, breads and sweets filled the fair stalls, attracting a diverse public.

These products carry knowledge handed down over time, preserving the community's food memory. Each recipe presented at the festival reflects the direct relationship between the territory, local ingredients and artisanal preparation.

The Sabores do Morro collective, made up mostly of women, keeps this tradition alive. For about three years, they have held a monthly fair in the district, culminating each year in the festival held in December.

In 2018, this path grew stronger, showing that food can be an effective tool for cultural preservation and, at the same time, for creating economic opportunities in Morro D'Água Quente.

A varied program and cultural integration

The 3rd Festival Sabores do Morro kept the format that had won over the public in previous editions, combining a food fair, workshops and musical performances. Over the two days, the district welcomed visitors interested in experiences beyond simply eating.

The cooking workshops allowed local producers and the public to share knowledge, highlighting techniques, recipes and the mindful use of food. These moments reinforced the educational character of the festival.

Music also played an important role in the program. Shows livened up the event and created a social atmosphere that encouraged people to stay all day, bringing residents and tourists together.

This variety of activities helped make the festival a complete experience that goes beyond food and values local culture in its many forms.

Income generation and women's leadership

One of the most striking aspects of Sabores do Morro in 2018 was its direct impact on the local economy. The festival generated income not only for exhibitors but also for residents hired temporarily to help at the stalls, in production and in logistics.

Many exhibitors employed one, two or even three helpers during the event, generating a range of activities within the district. There was also demand for transport services and supplies.

Women's participation remains a central feature of the project. Most of the businesses are run by women, who found in cooking a path to financial independence and social recognition.

Stories such as the production of honey, craft beers and seasonings show that the festival boosts small businesses, strengthens local brands and creates prospects for sustainable growth.

Tourism, landscape and regional identity

Morro D'Água Quente lies in a privileged region, known for its waterfalls, trails and proximity to the Caraça Sanctuary. In 2018, the festival reinforced this integration of nature and culture.

Tourists from towns such as Belo Horizonte, Ipatinga and Santa Bárbara took advantage of the event to discover the local food and explore the district's natural surroundings. Many came on the recommendation of guesthouses, news websites and social media.

The mountain landscape, especially at sunset, became part of the festival's visual identity. Some products even began to feature images of the Serra do Caraça on their labels.

This connection strengthened Sabores do Morro's position as an event that values the territory and expands the tourist potential of Catas Altas.

The festival becomes a regional reference

By its third edition, the Festival Sabores do Morro had clearly moved beyond its initial experimental phase. The event came to be recognized as a showcase of the region's simple, accessible and authentic cooking.

By avoiding overly sophisticated formats, the festival stood out for showing how ordinary people produce rich and varied food, accessible to residents and visitors alike.

This approach strengthened the bond with the local community and increased the interest of tourists seeking genuine experiences, far from standardized formats.

The 3rd Festival Sabores do Morro thus established itself as one of the main community food events around the Serra do Caraça, paving the way for even better-organized editions in the following years.