The British magazine Maxim published a report in which it pointed out that Lima, Peru, is “the kingdom of heaven” in terms of gastronomy and cataloged it as “possibly” the best culinary destination in the world. Maxim’s gastronomic journalist Nicholas Stecher toured the cities of Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley to recognize the country’s cultural richness and biodiversity.
The article was made up of a series of interviews with prominent chefs, including Virgilio Martínez, founder of Central, the best restaurant in Latin America according to The World’s 50 Best list. “Dining at this coveted restaurant (reservations are made three months in advance) tucked away in the Barranco neighborhood is a kind of gastric gallery. This is a four hour guided tour of Peru, each dish is based not on location but on elevation,” Stecher said.
“Today it is not an exaggeration to describe the Michelin-starred Martinez as one of the most acclaimed and innovative chefs on the planet. But unlike many, his innovation is not born of new tools or techniques (although he employs many of both), or digging for dark ingredients on the forest floor (although he does that too). What makes Martinez one of the most electrifying chefs is his embrace of unique indigenous ingredients and the unique landscape of his homeland,” wrote Nicholas Stecher .
The Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism (PromPeru) highlighted that 11% of tourists who travel to the country do so motivated by gastronomy. 52% is from South America, 26% from North America and 17% from Europe.