If, like us, you're passionate about Peruvian gastronomy, it's impossible to explore it without learning more about its most famous chef, a true ambassador of Peruvian cuisine around the world. We're talking, of course, about Gaston Acurio!

This visionary chef has opened 32 restaurants with his wife throughout Pérou and around the world, several of which rank among the finest establishments globally. Gaston Acurio has had the distinction of appearing for the second consecutive time in the San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants ranking. In 2012, his restaurant Astrid Y Gaston in Lima was recognized as the 14th best restaurant on the planet!

All Peruvians know him—he's an approachable, unpretentious figure who transforms everything he touches into culinary gold. He has authored 20 books to bring international recognition to Peruvian cuisine, once overlooked by the world stage. It's fair to say that much of Pérou's current acclaim as the world's best culinary destination at the World Travel Awards 2012 is owed to him. Thank you, Gaston!

Gaston Acurio: Patron, Visionary, Ambassador…

For years, Gaston Acurio has been dedicated to championing overlooked talents who lack the means to showcase their artistry. To this end, he created a television program that takes viewers into the streets to taste the most traditional Peruvian dishes—sometimes in obscure restaurants, sometimes from food carts on street corners! Many of these featured cooks have achieved remarkable success and now operate their own establishments.

He hosts his own television program and has collaborated with renowned Catalan chef Ferran Adria on the documentary «Peru Sabe», an exploration of Pérou's culinary landscape in search of exceptional flavors and ingredients of unparalleled quality.

In 2009, Gaston Acurio was named Personality of the Year in Pérou, and in 2011 he organized the Peruvian version of MasterChef Peru.

The Gastronomic Empire of Gaston Acurio

Among Chef Gaston Acurio's many culinary ventures, his greatest success is the restaurant Astrid & Gastón, which opened in 1994 in Lima and has since expanded throughout Pérou and internationally—to Mexico, Chile, Venezuela, Panama, Spain, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, and soon to the United Kingdom and France.

Gastón Acurio owns several other restaurants in Pérou and around the world, many of which have become highly successful franchises, including:

• «Sangucheria»
• Tanta, a bakery, pastry, and charcuterie chain present in Pérou, the United States, Chile, Spain, and Bolivia.

• Madam Tusan, a chifa restaurant

• Chicha, a regional restaurant concept rooted in Peruvian gastronomy, with locations in Cusco and Arequipa.

• La Mar, a cevichería with locations in Pérou, Panama, Bogotá, Mexico City, São Paulo, Santiago, and San Francisco.

• Panchita, an anticuchería

• La Pepa, a juice bar

Essential Books by Gaston Acurio on Peruvian Cuisine

• «Larousse de la Gastronomía Peruana», published November 2008
• «Las cocinas del Perú por Gaston Acurio» (10 volumes), released September 2006
• «Cocina casera para los tiempos de hoy», published March 2003
• «Perú, una Aventura Culinaria», released December 2002
• «500 años de fusión», published September 2008