Some say that the happiest people are those who come home with aching hands, which is to say, the people who work the land. Francisca Fernandes, originally from Arouca, had an unexpected contact with this reality, which resulted in the creation of a unique house on Avenida do Vale, nº 617, in São João da Madeira. Always an applied student, she had a rich academic course when traveling through Europe and Brazil. She remained in the last six years, where she ended up working for a year in the Organic Club of Rio de Janeiro, specifically in the communication and marketing department. This was a happy time in Francisca's life. She became interested in principles of confectionery and organic production, and before long she had friends praising her dishes.
On the other side of the world, her mother, Dilma Fernandes, who had always had a garden and had never glimpsed even a little bit of interest on Francisca's part in what the land gives us, could not fail to ask a very simple question to her. daughter: 'If you are doing this in Brazil, why not do it in Portugal?' Francisca pondered the matter well. On the other hand, she frequently suggested that her mother should open a shop in São João da Madeira, since she had always wanted to have an antique shop. In this exchange of ideas they finally decided to unite efforts. Francisca returned to Portugal and after a short time they were already working hard to make Aconchego do Quintal a reality. Eventually they settled in the place of an animal store that had once been Dilma’s shop.
But it was not an easy dream to reach. Several times Francisca, cleaning the floor at ten o'clock at night, wondered about her choice. These doubts, however, would evaporate quickly with customer feedback. One remark in particular definitely changed the perspective of our young entrepreneur: 'since you opened, I have eaten more (different) things than in all my life.' Such a statement, besides filling mother and daughter with pride and purpose, perfectly mirrors the house's food philosophy, that of eating with lots of variety and without negativism. Let it be clear: the concept of Aconchego do Quintal is not to prohibit what should not be eaten, but rather, to call for the inclusion of more varied and healthy foods. Francisca also assures that it is possible to eat healthy and tasty simultaneously. The combination of these two premises removes any myth or prejudice that could still hover over this type of food.
Thirty percent of the establishment’s supply is based on the production of Dilma´s garden, which she has cultivated since forever and has gained new strenght since the house’s inauguration. The remaining supplies are provided by the Arouca cooperative. The food is fresh and most of the dishes are vegetarian, without frying. They only use olive oil.
The name of the establishment refers to the origin of the raw material and the environment that the house cultivates. An environment of friendship and closeness in which one eats what nature provides, without presumptions or excesses. It is often said that the secret is the core of the business. Francisca, through her enthusiastic transmission of knowledge about nutrition, seems to mean that cooperation is the core of coexistence. Mother and daughter have created an innovative concept in the city of industry, and anyone who wants to know can always count on a smile and open doors. Better is impossible...
