A night with the Azorean Green Bean herself, presented by the Zeiterion and Bristol Community College!

Learn about the rich – and delicious – culinary history of the Azores with renowned cook, author and PBS host Maria Lawton.

She’ll enlighten your pantry with historical insights into the traditional ingredients from the Azores, exploring how oils, spices, fish and preparation techniques have been woven into dishes throughout generations. Large screens will allow the audience to follow Maria as she explains their cultural and culinary significance.

Then, in a talk show setting, Maria will share the influences and inspirations she has encountered through her cooking over the years within Portuguese culture, providing both background and historical context. You’ll even have the chance to ask her some of your culinary questions!

Immediately following the event, please join us for a post-show reception with Maria where you’ll be treated to pastries made by Bristol Community College's Baking & Pastry students and a performance by Portuguese guitarist Joao Silva sponsored by LusoCentro. Click here to purchase tickets to the reception.

A limited number of her yet-to-be-released cookbook, "At My Portuguese Table: Azorean Cooking and More," will be available for purchase in the lobby.

‍This event will take place at and is in partnership with Bristol Community College. Tickets are general admission.

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‍About Maria Lawton

Maria Lawton, also known as the "Azorean Green Bean," is an esteemed host and executive producer of the multi award-winning series "Maria's Portuguese Table" on PBS. With a deep connection to her Azorean roots in Portugal, Maria has successfully brought the essence of authentic Portuguese cuisine and culture to American television audiences and has garnered worldwide acclaim for her dedication. The series also made television history as the first series on PBS to showcase the Portuguese culture.

Rooted deeply in her Azorean heritage, Maria's culinary odyssey started in her grandmother's kitchen, where she learned the essence of Portuguese cooking. Fueled by a profound desire to preserve her cultural legacy, she embarked on a mission to share these invaluable traditions with a broader audience with the production of "Maria's Portuguese Table."  

Maria continues to share Azorean cuisine as the Emmy-nominated host of Maria's Portuguese Table, distributed nationally via PBS and is featured on CreateTV. The culinary travel show, now in its second season, features Azorean dishes and culture not only in the Azores, but around the world.

Beyond her television prowess, Maria Lawton is a celebrated author, with her best-selling first cookbook, "Azorean Cooking: From My Family Table to Yours," offering a heartfelt narrative intertwined with authentic family recipes, offering a window into the rich culinary heritage of the Azores. Her new cookbook, "At My Portuguese Table: Azorean Cooking and More," will be released on November 13.

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Ricardo Farias has agreed to interview Maria Lawton on stage during the “talk show” portion of the event.

You may know Ricardo from his work on WJFD, The Portuguese Channel, RTP International, and now RTP, Portugal's public broadcasting organization, which operates both television channels and radio stations.

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Michael Benevides, owner of Portugalia, will join Maria Lawton on stage for the first half of the show during her review of ingredients and products.

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