From April 23 to May 23, 15 signature dishes celebrate the “garimpeira” cuisine of Diamantina in a festival backed by Sebrae Minas and Secult-MG.
Mining for flavor
The historic city of Diamantina — a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil — is hosting the debut edition of the Gastronomic Circuit: garimpeira cuisine, stories that intersect. Running from April 23 to May 23, 2026, the festival brings together 15 signature dishes created by local establishments with guidance from Sebrae Minas and the Minas Gerais State Secretariat of Culture and Tourism (Secult-MG).
The concept mirrors the logic of diamond mining itself: sifting through raw material to find and transform what is most precious. Local chefs and cooks were invited to translate regional ingredients, techniques, and stories into exclusive gastronomic experiences.
A roadmap for culinary identity
The festival opens with the release of the Gastronomic Identity Study of Diamantina, a diagnostic report that mapped the city’s food culture through interviews and a technical expedition led by researchers, consultants, and chefs. The study formed the foundation for the participatory Gastronomy Future Plan 2026–2029, which outlines opportunities for food and hospitality businesses in the region.
“The circuit connects gastronomy and culture. Diamantina offers a unique setting for tourism: cobblestone streets, colonial mansions, baroque churches, and cultural expressions rooted in the diamond cycle, alongside a rich and singular food culture that is becoming a key attraction for the destination.” — Rogério Fernandes, regional manager at Sebrae Minas
The people behind the plates
Diamantina’s garimpeira cuisine cannot be separated from the people who shaped the city. Maria Francisca dos Santos, affectionately known as Chiquinha dos Pastéis, has carried her basket of pastries through the historic center for over six decades. Her story is woven into the very fabric of the city’s street food memory.
Chica da Silva, a central figure of colonial-era Diamantina, also inspires the festival. She moved through a social world defined by feasts, religious ceremonies, and refined domestic practices where food played a key role in affirming social identity.
Juscelino Kubitschek — born in Diamantina and one of Brazil’s most iconic presidents — helped bring the city’s flavors to national and international attention. Among the dishes he championed is the beloved Xico Angu, a cornerstone of Diamantina’s culinary identity.
The program driving the festival
The Prepara Gastronomia program, created by Sebrae Minas in 2020 to strengthen small food businesses, has supported more than 15,000 companies across the state. In 2025 alone, it reached 117 municipalities, supported over 90 gastronomic festivals, and served more than 3,000 small businesses.
Event Info
- Event: 1st edition — Gastronomic Circuit: garimpeira cuisine, stories that intersect
- Dates: April 23 to May 23, 2026
- Location: Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Organizers: Sebrae Minas in partnership with Secult-MG
- Participants: 15 local establishments with signature dishes
- More info: sebraemg.com.br/circuitodiamantina
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