Central In Peru Takes The Win As The World's Best Restaurant Becomes A Must-Visit For Foodies
When it comes to food hunting in a big city, Peru rarely comes to mind. That is precisely why, the latest World¡¯s 50 Best Restaurants announcement came as a shock to many when Central, a restaurant that aims to discover and perhaps rediscover its roots in Peru.
Central In Peru Wins The World's Best Restaurant Award
The annual awards ceremony, which celebrates all of the world's finest eateries, took place on Tuesday, June 20 in Valencia, Spain. The restaurant based in Lima, Peru, was announced as the winner.?
The top 50 list is decided by a panel of experts who are compelled to follow a few rules. According to these rules, the experts on the panel can¡¯t vote for any restaurant they have an economic interest in, and they can only vote for those restaurants they have had a meal at in the past 19 months.
Well, in addition to these few rules, there is also a provision that leaves out last year¡¯s best restaurant from the winning bid. Instead, previous winners move onto the "Best of the Best" list. This list includes the likes of Noma, Osteria Francescana, and Mirazur. Previously in 2022, Geranium, a restaurant in Copenhagen, won the best restaurant award, making way for Central to take the wheel this year.??
Other notable restaurants from Peru that made the top 50 list were Mayta, Kjolle, and Maido, all situated in Lima. So, if you are looking for a place to hop on next and unpack your stomach¡¯s wrath, then Peru is definitely the place to be!??
What Is Central?
As for the Central in Lima, the restaurant is in for the big bucks after such a huge win. Even though the restaurant has just been awarded as the World¡¯s best, the place is much more grounded than all the glitz that is about to surround it.
The restaurant describes itself and writes on its official website, "Conscious of our lack of connectivity, we wish to humbly take on the great challenge of discovering and, in some cases, rediscovering this beautiful country, replete with unique ingredients, landscapes, cultures, traditions, and history. Above all, we wish to connect with the individuals who live here and convey their stories."
The restaurant features a 17-course tasting menu focusing on Peruvian ingredients that strive to take diners through the different altitudes and ecosystems of the country. The restaurant holds great pride in itself for including local produce such as potatoes from the Andes and water-to-door sea urchins, clams, and squid from the rich coastline of the country. Chefs Virgilio Mart¨ªnez and P¨ªa Le¨®n run the kitchen at Central and have been climbing the ranks since the beginning of 2023.??
