Blog Archives

Peru’s Goddesses of Food

by  on  in Opinion
Teresa Izquierdo 2013 Award (Photo credit: Mistura and APEGA)

Teresa Izquierdo 2013 Award (Photo credit: APEGA – Mistura)

If you follow news in the food world, then you are likely up to date on all the controversy surrounding the recent article by Time on the “Gods of Food” — it published a list of people recognized for their influence on food today, and of all the chefs who made the list, not a single one was female. To make matters worse, the editor tried to explain the reasoning behind this in an interview with Eater. In response, Grub Street came up with their “Goddesses of Food” list, 10 world class chefs who are women, and the LA Times wrote a piece on California’s female chefs. All this made me reflect on the role of women in Peruvian cuisine. Does Peru have it’s own Goddesses of Food? And if so, who are they?
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Chez Wong’s Secret Ceviche Hideaway

by  on  in Stories
Javier Wong, cooking at Chez Wong

Javier Wong, cooking at Chez Wong

Lima is famous for its huariques, secret hideaway restaurants with no signs on the door, often in a barrio where you would least expect to find good food. Somehow you heard about one, maybe a friend had eaten there, they’ve managed to make a reservation, but you drive past it several times because it’s a nondescript house in the residential neighborhood of Santa Catalina that is overcrowded with auto-repair shops. This is a place you would never find by chance, and if you are fortunate enough to have lunch here, this is a meal you will never forget. This is Chez Wong’s secret ceviche hideaway.
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London Calling

by  on  in Stories
Lunch at Ceviche UK

Lunch at Ceviche UK

About a month after attending the Mistura Food Festival in Peru, I found myself on a plane to Spain to do some culinary research. After all, Spain is one of the cultures that has profoundly influenced Peruvian cuisine and I wanted to explore it further. But somehow, or more precisely due to a delayed flight, I was faced with an unexpected 7 hour layover at Heathrow airport in London, England. How did I spend that unbearably long layover you ask? I took the next train into the city and headed straight for lunch at the first Peruvian restaurant in the UK, Ceviche. So, before returning to writing about my trip to Peru, let’s take a little detour across the pond, and let me tell you about London Calling, the Peruvian way.
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Mistura Food Festival

by  on  in Stories
Mistura — I heart Pisco

Mistura — I heart Pisco

The first time I saw the trailer for the documentary about Mistura, I was choked up by the truth it conveyed: Peruvians, more than anything, love their food. Love. So you can imagine the emotions I felt as I walked into the festival for the first time, a world of colors, smells, sounds, and tastes, waiting for me. It only took me two years, but I finally made it, and this is how I spent my day at Mistura.
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October 30: A Night in Lima at 18 Reasons

by  on  in Events
A Night in Lima at 18 Reasons

A Night in Lima at 18 Reasons

It’s been an eventful summer for Pisco Trail — from road trips and Wild West Whisky adventures in Leadville, to a Peruvian Independence Day dinner in New Orleans, and my first live TV cooking demo, I am finally back in San Francisco after spending two weeks rediscovering my Love for Lima, Peru. Which means it’s time for another Peruvian Pop-up Dinner at 18 Reasons!

Join me for A Night in Lima at 18 Reasons, an intimate seated dinner for 20 people on October 30 at 7 PM, where I will be serving two courses: Carapulcra, a very traditional papa seca stew with heritage pork and Mazamorra Morada, a sweet purple corn pudding.

Throughout the evening I will be talking about the history of these dishes, while a background slide-show presents photographs from my recent trip to Peru. And of course a criollo dinner would not be complete without some Afro-Peruvian tunes playing on the radio.

It’s great to be back in SF, and I am really looking forward to cooking for you again 18 Reasons!

Get your tickets here →