Written by:
peru.travel
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Peruvian cuisine continues to surprise the world. This time, a chef and two Peruvian restaurants have been nominated for the prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards in the United States. This award ceremony is considered the "Oscars" of the culinary world and is held annually to recognize excellence in the food and beverage industry.
Firstly, chef Erick Ramírez was nominated in the Outstanding Chef category with his restaurant Llama Inn in New York. Meanwhile, Causa Restaurant (Washington D.C.) by chef Carlos Delgado and La Royal (Massachusetts) by JuanMa Calderón and Maria Rondeau, are semifinalists in the Best New Restaurant category.
Restaurants with Peruvian flavor
Erick Ramírez, born in New Jersey to Peruvian parents, knew he wanted to cook from a young age. At 28, he visited Peru and, thanks to this trip, he began to explore more of Peruvian cuisine, adding his personal touch and a new form of presentation.
In 2015, he opened his restaurant Llama Inn in New York for diners seeking new options. In this establishment, Ramírez offers dishes such as ceviche de conchitas, pan-seared trout with chimichurri, and a lúcuma dessert that delights from the first bite. In 2021, Erik was part of the group of chefs at the Met Gala where he prepared a vegan menu for stars like Billie Eilish, Rihanna, and Kendall Jenner.
Chef Carlos Delgado, born in the Callao constitutional province, inherited his love for food from his grandmother. He moved to the United States at a young age where he made gastronomy his passion. With Causa (Washington D. C.), Delgado takes a journey through Peruvian cuisine from the coast to the Andes. His proposal includes a 6-course tasting menu, to which customers can add daily selections of whole fish, seafood, and other top-quality supplements. All paired with a notable selection of wines.
JuanMa Calderón and Maria Rondeau, husband and wife, have their new gastronomic proposal in Royal. Their menu offers original versions of dishes from different regions of Peru, from purple corn tamales with ají de gallina filling to alpaca burgers. The selection of cocktails has been worked on with professor and cookbook author Darra Goldstein, where those made with pisco, Peru's national drink, stand out.
What are the James Beard Foundation Awards?
These awards annually recognize chefs and restaurants in the United States. They had their first edition in 1990 with the intention of honoring excellence in the food and beverage industry. They owe their name to James Beard, a chef born in Oregon in 1903 who also wrote cookbooks.
Currently, there are 11 categories, including Best New Restaurant, Rising Star Chef, Outstanding Pastry Chef, and Outstanding Restaurant. The jury is made up of more than 600 judges who vote online. The ceremony will take place on June 5th at the Lyric Opera of Chicago."
