The International Council of Basque Culinary Center Returns to Peru in June 2024
The International Council of Basque Culinary Center, composed of some of the most renowned chefs in the world, will gather again in Peru from June 16 to 19 to celebrate, delve into, and discuss the scope of gastronomy under the motto T´impuy.
This is a special meeting to shake up the debate on what we cook, eat, and the impact of everything surrounding it. Alongside Gastón Acurio and Pía León as hosts, the International Council will emphasize Peru's role in the expansion of gastronomy over the last decades as a cradle of talents, traditions, and transformative ideas.
2024, Return to Peru
Peru has played a special role in the expansion experienced by international gastronomy in recent decades, serving as a meeting place, a forum for debate, and a breeding ground for perspectives associated with cooking. As a hub of top-tier talent, it has been a place to simmer concerns and proposals, as reflected in the first meeting of the International Council of Basque Culinary Center in 2011. During that meeting, the "Letter to the Cooks of Tomorrow" was launched, signed by the Founding Members of the International Council, composed of some of the best chefs of the time (such as Gastón Acurio, Massimo Bottura, René Redzepi, Alex Atala, Ferran Adrià, or Dan Barber) and shared with the world. Since then, both achievements and lessons learned have been abundant.
In connection with the concerns brought by new generations, and understanding that challenges are different, and needs and audiences evolve, personalities like Joan Roca (Spain), Dominique Crenn (France/USA), Mauro Colagreco (Argentina/France), Yoshihiro Narisawa (Japan), Manu Buffara (Brazil), Josh Niland (Australia), Thitid Tassanakajohn (Thailand), and Elena Reygadas (Mexico), among others, who make up the current International Council of Basque Culinary Center, will visit the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP) auditorium on June 19. The event, named T´impuy, referring to the concept of boiling or effervescence, will serve to rethink the reflections that supported those chefs in 2011 and address the future of the industry, insisting on the ubiquity of gastronomy and reconnecting with current demands through conferences, talks, and roundtable discussions.
The hosts of the high-level meeting led by Basque Culinary Center will be Gastón Acurio (Astrid & Gastón) and Pía León (Kjolle), two representatives of Peruvian gastronomy who, through their cuisine, promote the country's great biodiversity and are part of the International Council of Basque Culinary Center.
Additionally, out of admiration and a desire to foster exchanges contributing to the development of gastronomy, the International Council of Basque Culinary Center will visit the cities of Lima and Cusco to share knowledge, ignite debates, and harvest shared future commitments. This meeting will unfold over three days, including the council meeting, the selection of the winner of the Basque Culinary World Prize 2024, and the update of the "Letter to the Cooks of Tomorrow," concluding on June 19 with the reflection day in Lima.
XIVth Gastronomic Meeting
In 2024, Basque Culinary Center will celebrate the fourteenth annual meeting of the International Council in a unique context, continuing the meetings and events held in international gastronomic reference destinations such as New York, Lima, Mexico City, Modena, San Francisco, Girona, or Tokyo. These events have revolved around sustainability, biodiversity, talent, and the transformation of the gastronomic sector from a multidisciplinary approach.
About Pía León
Pía León embodies one of the most personal and creative visions of contemporary Latin American gastronomy, offering a proposal that unveils the vast diversity and cultural multiplicity of her country. She made her mark as co-owner of Central, considered the world's best restaurant in the 2023 edition of 'The World's 50 Best Restaurants,' leading the list of the 50 Best Restaurants in Latin America for several years. Six years ago, Pía embarked on her own path with Kjolle, awarded as the Best Female Chef in the World in 2021. Kjolle, consolidating Pía's purpose to enhance and preserve Peruvian culture and beauty, debuted on the list of the 50 Best Restaurants in Latin America in 2019 at position 21, winning the award for the Best New Entry.
About Gastón Acurio
An icon of Peruvian cuisine and a successful entrepreneur with gastronomic ventures worldwide in various formats. Acurio is the owner of the renowned restaurant Astrid & Gastón. He fervently believes in cooking as a tool for social change. Widely recognized for his efforts in showcasing his country to the world, extending interest beyond ceviche, he promotes projects like Pachacútec, where dozens of young people receive culinary training on the outskirts of Lima, supporting cultural, social, and environmental causes. Gastón is also a prolific author of books such as "Peru: Gastronomy," a book on Peruvian cuisine that includes 500 traditional home-cooked recipes, "Cebiche Power," and "Recontra ¡Bravazo!," among others. Gastón was also one of the founding members of the International Council of Basque Culinary Center and the host of its first meeting in 2011 in Lima, where he participated in the aforementioned "Letter to the Cooks of Tomorrow."
International Council of Basque Culinary Center
The International Council of Basque Culinary Center, composed of some of the most influential chefs today, is a fundamental body responsible for advising the strategic work of Basque Culinary Center. It guides efforts, helps identify opportunities, and opens discussion and action scenarios contributing to the advancement of gastronomy.
Founded by Ferran Adrià (Spain), Joan Roca (Spain), Gastón Acurio (Peru), Massimo Bottura (Italy), Michel Bras (France), René Redzepi (Denmark), Heston Blumenthal (United Kingdom), Alex Atala (Brazil), Dan Barber (USA), and Yukio Hattori (Japan), it has added personalities such as Enrique Olvera (Mexico), Mauro Colagreco (Argentina/France), Manu Buffara (Brazil), Yoshihiro Narisawa (Japan), Trine Hahnemann (Denmark), Dominique Creen (France/USA), Pía León (Peru), Josh Niland (Australia), Narda Lepes (Argentina), Elena Reigadas (Mexico), and Ton Ttassanakajohn (Thailand) over time.