Chestnuts Take Center Stage at Cockburn’s “A La Mesa” Dinners

Celebrating Saint Martin’s Day with a special touch. That’s the proposal of Caves Cockburn’s for another edition of the ‘A La Mesa’ dinners, this year dedicated to Magusto. On November 8th and 9th, for the fourth consecutive year, the Port wine house – owned by the Symington family – is preparing an exclusive table for 60 people, once again counting on the partnership of chef Maurício Ghiglione, from the Belos Aires restaurant. In this edition, the event is betting on six-hands dinners, with a twist: all dishes will be made with chestnuts.

For the preparation of the special Magusto menu – composed of six moments and only revealed on the day of the event -, chef Maurício Ghiglione will share the reins of the improvised kitchen at Caves Cockburn’s with chefs João Magalhães, from the Pata Gorda restaurant, and João Pupo Lameiras, from the Bacalhau, Muro do Bacalhau and Ro restaurants. In addition to meat and fish proposals, diners can enjoy, from 7:30 pm, a welcome drink accompanied by appetizers, and throughout the dinner, exclusive references from the Symington Family Estates portfolio, which will be presented for the first time.

As a unique experience of harmonization between wine and gastronomy, the A La Mesa dinners are characterized by the preparation of dishes over an open fire and the incomparable atmosphere of the largest Port wine aging warehouse in the historic area of Vila Nova de Gaia. At a single table, surrounded by 10,000 oak barrels, conviviality is the secret ingredient of the event, which celebrates, this year, the spirit of sharing of Saint Martin’s Day, as well as the versatility of traditional chestnuts.

Regarding the fourth edition of the initiative, Rita Veiga Bulhosa, responsible for the events and activations area of Symington, says: “We challenged the three chefs to cook all the dishes with chestnuts, and we have very high expectations for this edition.” Highlighting the success of the last editions, she adds: “This gastronomic and wine experience is one of the most special moments of the year for us. From the preparation over fire, to the wines, to the atmosphere, this event could not be more extraordinary. We have people who don’t miss an edition”.

Tickets for the ‘A La Mesa: Magusto Edition’ dinners are already available on the Eventbrite website, for 75 euros per person (plus the platform’s service fee), which includes the appetizer, dinner, drinks and a blanket, to ensure everyone’s comfort. The entrance to the event will be through the back of Caves Cockburn’s, on Rua Dona Leonor de Freitas, and there is free public parking available nearby, as well as a bus stop served by STCP lines 901 and 906.