Central, the restaurant owned by Chef Virgilio Martinez in Lima (Peru), leads the S. Pellegrino List of Best Restaurants of Latin America 2014, which was released September 3, in the Peruvian capital.

Chef Virgilio Martinez, Central Restaurant.

The jury praised “the authenticity of its aperitifs, like the pisco sour with coca leaves, or first courses like the tiradito served with leche de tigre,” as well as the restaurant decor “whose urban garden houses a wide range of agricultural products and serves as the scenario of continuous experimentation with new varieties of fruits, herbs and vegetables.”

The restaurant consolidated its commitment to bold reinvention of Peruvian cuisine, rising three positions compared to the 2013 list, displacing to the second position the restaurant Astrid y Gastón, also Peruvian. The D.O.M. and Mani restaurants— both from Brazil— went to occupy the third and fourth place respectively, and the fifth place was for Boragó, from Chile.

Chef Gastón Acurio, Astrid y Gastón Restaurant.

The awards this year attest to the excellence of Peruvian cuisine with three restaurants in the top of the list. In addition to choosing the best premises throughout the region, the jury selected the best restaurants in each country. The list is available here.

During the ceremony—which was attended by chefs, food critics and celebrities from the culinary industry—the Mexican Elena Reygadas received the Veuve Clicquot Award for Best Female Chef in addition to recognizing the distinguished career of Chef Alex Atala from D.O.M. restaurant, and for the first year a distinction for Best Pastry Chef was granted to the Argentine Osvaldo Gross.

Elena Reygadas with her award as Best female chef.

THE TOP 10

The San Pellegrino list of the Best Restaurants in Latin America 2014:


1. Central, Lima (Perú).

2. Astrid y Gastón, Lima (Perú).

3. D.O.M, São Paulo (Brazil).

4. Maní, São Paulo (Brazil).

5. Boragó, Santiago (Chile).

6. Pujol, Mexico City (Mexico).

7. Maido, Lima (Perú).

8. Biko, Mexico City (Mexico).

9. Tegui, Buenos Aires (Argentina).

10. Quintonil, Mexico City (Mexico).

Major awards presented during the ceremony’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014 in Latin America, sponsored by San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna:

San Pellegrino Award for Best Restaurant in Latin America: Central, Lima (Peru).

Award for Best Emerging Restaurant: Ambrosia, Santiago (Chile).

Veuve Clicquot Award for Best Female Chef: Elena Reygadas.

Chef´s Choice Award 2014: Gastón Acurio.

Best Pastry Chef Award: Osvaldo Gross.

Greater advancement Award: El Baqueano, Buenos Aires (Argentina).

Best New Participant in the List Award: Tarquino, Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Diners Club Award for Life Time Achievements: Alex Atala
See complete list here. ■

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