The Gastronomic Confraternity of Arroz de Sarrabulho à Moda de Ponte de Lima has been honoured in 2026 with the title of Gastronomic Confraternity of the Year — a national distinction that recognises its sustained work preserving, promoting and certifying one of the most emblematic dishes of Minho gastronomy.
Two decades of work
The Confraternity was founded in 2006, following the seminar presenting the project held on 12 March 2004 at the Auditorium of the Municipal Assembly of Ponte de Lima. Among the founders were institutional figures such as Daniel Campelo (then Mayor), Franclim Castro Sousa (Councillor for Culture and Education), Abílio Sá Lima and Amâncio Cerqueira.
The inaugural enthronement of the confraters took place on 21 April 2007, sponsored by the Confraternity of the Gastronomes of Minho and by the Confraternity of Vinho Verde. In that ceremony, the first confraters swore to defend the gastronomic heritage of Ponte de Lima — in particular, Arroz de Sarrabulho.
The journey to European TSG
What began in 2006 as a cultural initiative was transformed into a rigorous technical process of European qualification:
- 2007 — Start of the application process for Traditional Speciality Guaranteed status
- 2022 — Submission of the product specification to DGADR (via DRAP-Norte)
- 17 January 2024 — National recognition as TSG
- 14 January 2025 — Official registration in the European Union (EU Reg. 2025/98)
- 16 January 2026 — Ceremony awarding plaques to the first 14 certified restaurants
The Confraternity's mission
The Confraternity pursues four main lines of action:
- Preserve the recipe and traditional method handed down through generations
- Certify new restaurants that comply with the product specification
- Promote the dish in Portugal and abroad through gastronomic events
- Document the historical and anthropological memory linked to Arroz de Sarrabulho
Within this documentary focus, the book published by the Municipality of Ponte de Lima stands out: «Arroz de Sarrabulho à Moda de Ponte de Lima: História, Antropologia e Património Gastronómico», a reference work on the origin and evolution of the dish.
2026 national distinction
The Gastronomic Confraternity of the Year 2026 title is a recognition of the Confraternity's leadership within the Portuguese gastronomic associative movement. It is also a symbolic recognition of the dish itself — a speciality rooted in the 17th century that has endured through time and won European recognition.
Joining the Confraternity
The admission process for new confraters — people passionate about Ponte de Lima's gastronomy and culture — remains open. Likewise, Ponte de Lima restaurants wishing to apply for TSG certification can learn more through our contact form.
Where to taste it
If you haven't yet tasted the original dish, see the 14 certified restaurants and choose the one that suits you best.
