In Peru, 2023’s Best Chef in the World Virgilio Martinez of Central makes magic with cacao | The Kitchen at the Los Angeles Times
Chef Virgilio Martinez views his dishes through a geographic lens at his Lima restaurant Central and at MIL in the Andes’ Sacred Valley of Peru between Cusco and Machu Picchu. that It’s an approach that has led to international acclaim. In 2023, Central was voted No. 1 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list published by the U.K.-based company William Reed, with input from 1,080 industry experts. It’s an honor no other restaurant in Latin America — a region ignored by Michelin inspectors— has achieved. L.A. Times Food general manager Laurie Ochoa was able to travel to Peru with a video team led by Sharon Matthews, deputy managing editor of L.A. Times Originals. Read Ochoa’s full story here.
Martinez appeared onstage at the Hammer Museum with Mater Iniciativa co-founder Malena Martinez in a Food Bowl 2023 talk on Sept. 21 before a screening of the documentary “Virgilio.” He also did a cooking demo on the first night of Food Bowl’s Night Market, Sept. 22, at the Paramount Studios backlot. Doors open 8 p.m.
READ: His restaurant was named No. 1 in the world. Why Peru’s Virgilio Martinez wants more
Martinez appeared onstage at the Hammer Museum with Mater Iniciativa co-founder Malena Martinez in a Food Bowl 2023 talk on Sept. 21 before a screening of the documentary “Virgilio.” He also did a cooking demo on the first night of Food Bowl’s Night Market, Sept. 22, at the Paramount Studios backlot. Doors open 8 p.m.
READ: His restaurant was named No. 1 in the world. Why Peru’s Virgilio Martinez wants more