Morena Leite

Following up her earlier ckbk feature on Brazil’s savory traditions, chef and cookbook enthusiast Luciana Corrêa now looks at the sweet dishes—making use of a wide range of tropical ingedients— which are every bit as central to Brazil’s cuisine.

To celebrate the recent arrival of Olivia Mesquita’s book, Authentic Brazilian Home Cooking on ckbk, we asked Brazilian chef and cookbook enthusiast Luciana Corrêa to give her own perspective on the dishes at the heart of Brazilian cuisine—some national favorites, others specific to a particular region. In the first installment of this two-part feature, Luciana looks at the best of Brazil’s savory cooking.

Morena Leite, the author of Brazil Rhythms and Recipes, is one of Brazil’s most well-known chefs but she more than just a chef. She is an artist of flavors, a passionate educator and a tireless social entrepreneur. Her work goes far beyond the kitchen — she connects people, transforms communities and plants seeds of food consciousness wherever she goes. Interviewing her I saw a sparkle in her eyes, a guiding faith behind her actions, and a clear life purpose. Morena is a unique individual — not just for her achievements or her singular name, but because she inspires generations through food made with love, technique, and intuition.