Banquets for the Celebration of Time
Food Research & Curation and Brand Experience
Food as an invitation to pause and celebrate the passage of time
Challenge
Bonde Verde is a research, intelligence, and food culture platform that proposes new narratives about food, crossing art and science to create experiences that stimulate connection and reflection.
As the idealizer of Bonde Verde, my challenge was to translate the in-depth research processes — based on academic studies, mindful eating, Ayurveda, and food culture — into an accessible experience capable of connecting the public to their relationship with food and the cycle of time.
The central question was: how to transform technical and dense knowledge into an experience capable of generating impact and collective memory?
Strategy
Sensory experiences to stimulate and nourish mind and body
The strategy was to develop a sensory and affective experience, transforming knowledge into a collective practice:
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Creation of seasonal, meat-free gatherings guided by Ayurveda (ancient Indian medicine).
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Artistic installations and ritual elements to reinforce the symbolic nature of the experience.
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Co-creation with people, stimulating an exchange of collective knowledge.
The proposal was to materialize the research into an immersive experience — where food is language and ritual is experience — connecting ancestry, science, and art to create a new narrative about the act of eating.
The idea
Banquets that celebrate the arrival of each season of the year.
A cycle of four gatherings throughout the year. From the first to the fourth and final banquet, the experience evolved, but the essence remained:
a moment of pause and contemplation of the passage of time.
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Autumn – Focus on roots, earthy foods, and welcoming.
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Winter – Full-bodied flavors, warm foods, and internal connection.
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Spring – Fresh ingredients, edible flowers, and renewal.
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Summer – Fruits, light vegetables, and vibrant colors.
Process
From concept to table
1 Research and curation
A solid knowledge base to create an experience connected with science, art, and ancestry.
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Crossing references from neuroscience to mindful eating: Technique of full attention focused on eating.
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Integration of knowledge about Ayurveda and seasonality.
Connection with culture and symbolic manifestations: Mapping of cultural rituals and symbolisms related to food and the cycle of seasons. -
Integration of visual and sensory references: Identification of textures, colors, and visual elements.
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Connection with plants, herbs, and seasonal foods: Identification of local and seasonal ingredients to ensure a menu aligned with the cycle of nature and the cultural context.
2 Experience development
Translation of knowledge into a sensory and affective experience.
As the idealizer and creative director, I led the development of the experience, ensuring that all elements — from the menu to the ambiance — reflected the concept of cycle and connection.
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Creation of a seasonal and balanced menu.
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Visual concept and ambiance: In partnership with Bruna Bento in art direction.
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Mapping of producers and cooperatives.
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Integration with cultural elements: The aesthetics, flavors, and rhythm of the banquets were designed to provoke a sense
of belonging and welcoming.
3 Co-creation with people
Knowledge as a collective and affective practice.
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Space for exchange and learning: People were invited to share perceptions and experiences about food and time, creating a space for collective learning.
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Incorporation of insights: People's reflections were integrated into the evolution of the banquets, making each meeting a continuous cycle of learning and transformation.
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Construction of affective memory.
4 Ritual & art
The experience as a celebration and reconnection with the sacred.
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Artistic installations and symbolic altar.
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Aesthetics and sensory narrative.
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Intentional pause and reconnection.
Legacy
✔️ 1 complete cycle with 4 banquets (Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer).
✔️ More than 50 people who co-created and transformed the experience into a space for exchange and learning.
✔️ Replicable model – The combination of food, art, and reflection created a new way to educate and share knowledge about food, health, and ancestry.
✔️ Reconnection with the life cycle – The experience helped people rethink their relationship with time and food in a more conscious and sensory way.
