Brazil’s top chef creates cold cuts cone for Rio Open

Rafa Costa e Silva, chef of Lasai (28th best in the world), signs Slices Seara Gourmet for Rio Open 2026. Cone inspired by Grand Slam icons.The Rio Open 2026 just gained its culinary trademark. Seara Gourmet launches this Saturday (14) the Slices Cone, created by Rio-born chef Rafa Costa e Silva, responsible for Lasai, voted Brazil’s best restaurant and 28th best in the world at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. The novelty will be available at Corcovado Club, the tournament’s VIP area at Jockey Club Brasileiro, marking the brand’s second consecutive year sponsoring South America’s largest tennis event.The name plays with the double meaning of “slice”: the technical tennis shot and the act of slicing cold cuts. The inspiration comes from Grand Slams. Just as Wimbledon has its traditional strawberries and cream and the US Open its iconic cocktails, Rio Open now has its own gastronomic identity worthy of the world’s greatest tournaments.

Five premium cold cuts in one cone

Slices Seara Gourmet brings together products from the company’s charcuterie line: Italian salami, pepper-edged salami, royal ham, Italian mortadella, and Parma ham. The curated selection allows tournament fans to recreate the cone at home, as all items are available in retail.

I was very excited and happy to be invited for this Slices Seara Gourmet curation project. I’ll have the opportunity to unite two passions, fine dining and tennis, within one of the most important tournaments on the international calendar, and in the city where I was born. For this combo, we thought of something practical for those watching the matches, but that would deliver the complexity of flavors that the event’s audience demands Rafa Costa e Silva, chef and curator of Slices Seara Gourmet

Rafa’s selection wasn’t random. Besides being a Rio native like the tournament, the chef is passionate about tennis. His restaurant Lasai earned two Michelin stars in the 2025 Guide before reaching the national top spot in the world ranking.

Sponsorship and brand strategy

For Tannia Fukuda Bruno, Seara’s marketing director, Slices symbolizes the brand’s connection with tennis. “Slices Seara Gourmet is born to be the symbol of this connection: a product that unites the sport’s technique with the precision of our charcuterie. We want the public to feel that, just like in the world’s great tournaments, Rio Open now has an iconic and unforgettable flavor,” she stated.The PR Stunt concept was developed by Hands.ag, the Brand Experience agency responsible for Seara Gourmet’s sponsorship activations at the event.

Service Information

Rio Open 2026Dates: February 14-22, 2026Location: Jockey Club Brasileiro, Rio de JaneiroSlices Seara Gourmet ConeAvailable: Corcovado Club (VIP area)Tasting throughout the tournamentPhoto: Press Release