The success of the spice restaurant run by Maria de Jesus Oliveira, known as Tia Zelia, extends beyond Brazil’s borders and has even won the admiration of the UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverley. During an official visit to Brasilia on Wednesday (24/5), the authority visited the gourmet restaurant located in Vila Planalto, and did not fail to get its hands dirty.
Accompanied by the British Ambassador to Brazil, Stephanie Al Qaq, and her entourage, Cleverly learned how to make Aunt Zelia’s famous feijoada. The chef taught the dish step by step to the minister who put on his apron and proved himself a good cook. The Secretary of State not only cooperated in the preparations, but also tasted and approved the delicacy.
According to Colonna Claudia Meirelles’ sources, the Foreign Minister loved tasting the traditional Brazilian feijoada and, in fact, enjoyed not only one dish. He completed his schedule on Brazilian soil thanks to a series of trips to strengthen relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries.
In the video below, watch moments from the minister’s visit to Tia Zelia restaurant:
In Brasilia, Counselor Mauro Vieira received Cleverly at Itamaraty Palace, to attend the sixth high-level strategic dialogue between Brazil and the United Kingdom on Wednesday (24/5). During the event, the two sides discussed intensifying bilateral cooperation on topics such as environment, health, science, technology and innovation.
The day before, Tuesday (23/5), Cleverly was in Manaus. In the capital of Amazonas, the Foreign Minister’s agenda focused on issues related to cooperation in science and the environment. Since 2014, no UK Foreign Secretary has arrived in Brazil. The last to arrive was William Hague.
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