The first South American Michelin Guide highlights 17 restaurants based in Brazil, putting the country's cuisine squarely on the map. From food truck festivals to gourmet burgers with a South American twist, the new Brazilian flavour goes far beyond beans and rice. So what’s getting served up?

New shopping malls and a young population with sophisticated shopping tastes are helping make Brazil one of the world's most profitable luxury markets. But the recent economic downturn means optimism is ebbing. Does a gloomy economic outlook spell the end of Brazil’s luxury bonanza?

When thinking about gourmet grub, ice lollies might not immediately spring to mind. But with each ‘paleta’ from Los Paleteros almost twice the size (and price) of a traditional lolly, fancy ice cream on a stick has become a hit in Brazil. Why are people willing to splash out on posh popsicles?

Following in the artisanal footsteps of wine, cheese and coffee, San Francisco-based Dandelion Chocolate is at the forefront of the bean-to-bar movement, revolutionising the way the confectionery is made and sold. Are we set to see ‘vineyards’ for chocolate in the next few years?