How to put the best restaurant in Central Peru on the culinary map, but it is too expensive for the Peruvians themselves

In fact, it took a long time. Peruvian cuisine has been known for years as (possibly) the best in Latin America. Restaurant Central, this year’s winner, entered the list of British media company William Reid ten years ago at number fifty. Since then it has risen steadily. This year, no one can ignore the Peruvians: the comprehensive list that honors all elevation differences in the South American country is, according to the jury, the best on the planet.

In the restaurant, chefs and husbands Virgilio Martinez, 45, and Pia Leon, 36, both born Liminius, takes guest on a journey through fifteen Peruvian ecosystems, from the Pacific Ocean to the peaks of the Andes. For each course, the height of origin of the ingredients is determined.

For example, “very high”, at 4,200 meters above sea level: Kiwisha (Cattle Marigold), corn and sweet potato leaves. Or “Black Rocks”, 10 meters underwater: seaweed, shells, squid. pork belly from the Andean jungle (2700m), cherimoya fruit from the Sacred Valley (2800m), a arapaimaFish from the Amazon (146 meters).

“It’s not about the competition or being number one,” founder Martinez said upon receiving the award in Valencia, Spain. “This is about the daily work that we love so much, about achieving our wonderful goals and searching for the truth.”

A boisterous applause erupted in the room when he thanked Peru and the city of Lima, in part because three other restaurants from the Peruvian capital have secured a spot on the list (including Kjolle at number 28, also owned by Chef Martínez).

As each year a jury made up of chefs, hoteliers, culinary journalists and culinary scientists declares a new restaurant the “Best in the World,” there is also the Hor Category Award: Best of the Best, and a selection of past winners.

Next year, Central will be joined by such toppers as Danish Noma and Britain’s The Fat Duck. In the top 50 in 2023 One Belgian restaurant is included: The Jane (39th place) in Antwerp.

The menu of Restaurant Central in Peru, by the way, is unaffordable for most Peruvians. A cooking trip of about three to four hours costs between 250 and 300 euros, which is slightly less than the average monthly wage in Peru last year.