Barretos Queima do Alho contest continues tradition at 71st Festa do Peão

The Queima do Alho cooking competition will be held on 23 August 2026 as part of the 71st Festa do Peão de Barretos in São Paulo state, Brazil. Twenty commitees from São Paulo, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, Paraná and Minas Gerais will prepare traditional dishes over a ground‑fire pit, using only period‑appropriate cookware and briquettes, in accordance with the event’s rules.

Organisers emphasize that no modern utensils are allowed and that the fire must be lit with wood alone. “The goal is to preserve the essence of the commitees’ culinary heritage,” said João Paulo Martins, contest coordinator. Judges will score each dish on flavor, historical fidelity, preparation and presentation. The competition follows the designation of Queima do Alho as intangible cultural heritage under Brazil’s Law 13.364/2016.

The 2025 champions, the Burro Bão commitee from Serra do Salitre (MG), and runner‑up Estrada do Boi from Rio Verde (GO), will return among the 2026 participants. A separate selection event on 30 August 2026 will determine new entrants for the 2027 edition.