Some of the , well known , Peruvian TV-Chefs.  They have, for sure, every reason to be happy.

World Travel Award 2016 – Again.

The South American country of Peru has been recognized as the world’s best gastronomic destination for the fifth time in a row. During a ceremony in the Maldives (2nd) the performance was honored with the „World Travel Award 2016“. They are regarded as the Oscars of the tourism and travel industry. For 23 years the coveted award has been awarded to the best of the best.

       Congratulation – a well deserved price.

This recognition reinforces the position of the country as a gastronomic destination worldwide, in front of the kitchens of countries such as France, Italy, Spain or Mexico. Even in front of countries like China, Vietnam or Thailand which is my personal favorite.

Also among the winners at the red carpet event hosted by Swissotel Lima was PromPeru, recognized by World Travel Awards voters as South America’s Leading Tourist Board for the first time. Peru named South America’s leading culinary destination in 2016.

     Peruvian show cooking during the Mistura. Mistura is the yearly gastronomic festival in Lima, Peru.  See 2 more pics of the Mistura down here.

World’s Best Culinary Destination.

Peru Who knew the home of the fried guinea pig would be such a culinary hot spot for 2016. Peru’s cuisine is incredibly diverse thanks to its immigrant scene, and popular favorites include grilled meat, ceviche (lime-cooked fish) and stuffed potatoes.

     This is Peruvian culinary cooking. Seafood soup (like a french bouillabaisse) or meaty stuffed onions and paprika’s with mozzarella in a tasty curry sauce.  I know, its different, but it shows the immense variety one can find and taste in Peru.

Sadly tourists talk about cuy and cuy eating only. True – Peru is known for consuming about 60.000.000 (sixty million) Guinea pigs (cuy’s) per year, but that is one food only.

        Different restaurants, different presentation, but similar „mini pork“ on the plate.   Not everyone’s thing, but if you get over the „look“ –  Believe me – its delicious ! In the right pic there are seen all potatoes around the pig.

          In some restaurants you can order „cuy“ carved  and well presented.  Mostly  they bring it out for pictures then take  it   back in, to cut it up (this is made for tourists only of course). And delicious tasting and presented side dishes, corn and potatoes, as tourists love it. I liked it cooked like a piglet, with some kind of roasted glaze on.
For those with sensitive constitutions please beware.

With over 3,000 traditional dishes and recipes, Peruvian cuisine is quickly becoming a worldwide sensation. The gastronomy is an exquisite blend of culture and passion, mixing exotic ingredients, ancestral ways of cooking, tradition and love. Because Peru has been a melting pot for immigrants since the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, the cuisine is influenced by many foreign cultures, such as the Chinese, the Arabs, the Spanish and the Africans, reflecting the vibrant identity of this beautifully diverse country.

                              Typical Peruvian street food, the „humitas“ left.  Right „papas a la huancaina“ served as a starter or snack.

No wonder Peruvians put their heart and soul in every plate! Come join on a culinary adventure that will take you from delicious food tastings in Lima’s finest restaurants, to Pisco and Ceviche tasting classes, to Arequipean and Novo Andean fusion dinners, and traditional markets where you will be taught how to buy your own ingredients for an unforgettable cooking class.

  Cooking classes are pretty popular in Peru, here how to make fantastic ceviche. This class was special, because one could learn from buying ingredients at the local market to the jointly meal (right pic) with a good Peruvian wine.

  Another culinary highlight was this „grilled octopus“ plate at restaurant Central in Lima. A – not anymore – secret destination. Or look at the mouthwatering scallops down here. This is, what I miss sometimes in Uruguay. Uruguay has sadly a boring cuisine to offer, we make the best of it.

  Peru has well deserved its Culinary Prize !

Have fun visiting Lima, the Gastronomic Capital of America, and enjoy a delicious stay in Cusco, heart of the Inca Empire. Don’t miss this opportunity to get a taste of Peruvian culture, food and wine, so as their history !

       Left, Lima, Peru, Costa Verde and right the Hotel Marriott in Lima, a very good destination.

I talked to a Peruvian couple, on holiday, in Montevideo some weeks ago. They had the idea to open a Peruvian restaurant (they run one in Arequipa,Peru already). Their problem is to get the ingredients, by example the seafood variety or the vegetables. How true !!!

    Peruvian wines can easy stand up against the rest of the world wine production. Some are even better dressed.

I am inspired now to show a bit more about Peruvian culinary in future posts.