OS SABORES DO MERCADO PÚBLICO DE PATOS NA (RE)CONSTRUÇÃO DE UMA IDENTIDADE GASTRONÔMICA LOCAL NA FIGURA DE MARIA DO BODE

Abstract

This work investigates the role of the Public Market of Patos, in Paraíba, as a central element in the (re)construction and preservation of the local gastronomic identity. Using an ethnographic approach, the study focuses on the Maria do Bode restaurant, recognized for its significant contribution to regional cuisine through the use of local ingredients and traditional dishes. Fairs and public markets are analyzed not only as spaces of commerce but as places of intense cultural and social exchange, where the maintenance of traditional eating practices and the promotion of local food culture are observed. The project highlights the economic, cultural, and social importance of markets and street fairs in maintaining local identity, evidencing the need for public policies aimed at their preservation and valorization. This study contributes to the recognition of gastronomy as a cultural heritage, suggesting that the valorization of traditional food spaces can drive sustainable local development.