Tapas Week under way in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro will be popular with food lovers this weekend as its inaugural annual Tapas Week is well and truly under way.

Brazil's second largest city is celebrating the culinary delights of Spain between 22 and 29 July after a similar event proved successful in Sao Paulo over the past two years.

The week is also intended to raise the profile of Spanish cuisine in Brazil and Felipe Chagas, manager of the restaurant Venga in Ipanema, thinks its versatility and the relaxed atmosphere surrounding the food should make it popular with locals.

"I hope that this Tapas Week will gain attention not just for tapas but for the Spanish cuisine in general. Hopefully people will try tapas, get a taste for it, and want to experience more," he said.

"The fact that tapas is a relaxed meal eaten in a comfortable setting means it is great for any occasion and can be enjoyed either on a date, in a group of friends or during a family gathering."

Four restaurants around Rio have created their own tailored tasting menus, including some of their most popular and authentic dishes, to take part in the event.

As well as Venga, Entretapas, Pintxo and ENE are the other restaurants taking part.