In a part of the world famous for its cuisine, it was always going to be a tough call. But Peru has beaten off stiff competition from its South American neighbours to be named the continent’s leading culinary destination.
The accolade was presented at the Caribbean and The Americas ceremony at the World Travel Awards, set up to “acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry”.
The worldwide awards will be announced in December.
Other nominees for the South American prize included Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Maria del Carmen de Reparaz, director of tourism promotion for Peru, said: “We’re delighted and honoured to have been recognised with such an accolade.
“Peruvian food combines authentic ingredients from the nation’s highlands, jungles and coastline together with culinary influences from Europe, the Far East and Africa, and fully deserves its reputation as a gastronomic superpower.”
Peruvian cuisine – which includes quinoa, a staple with health enthusiasts – is growing in popularity on the world’s gastronomic stage. The country has a long culinary history, dating back to the Incas.
From the rice, fowl and goat dishes in the northern coastal regions to the potato, sweetcorn, chilli pepper and guinea pig of the Andes, there’s a gastronomic tradition to match every landscape.
Cultural changes have helped shape the cooking, with Spanish, Arab, African, Chinese and Italian influences infusing recipes.
This year saw the opening of chef Virgilio Martinez’s Lima London in Fitzrovia. Fellow native Gastón Acurio has launched restaurants in a number of South American capitals and farther afield in New York and Madrid.
Martinez told the Financial Times: “I think we are starting to see Peruvian restaurants everywhere.
The food revolution in Lima is growing and we need to make a noise about it.”
The winners are voted for by consumers, who nominate from a list compiled by travel experts. – Daily Mail