LIMA, Sept 5 – Peru has been named Destination of the Year by readers of the popular and influential Food and Travel Magazine.
According to Food and Travel, one of the Britain’s leading lifestyle magazines, Peru’s growing popularity as both a food and travel hotspot led to it being named Destination of the Year at a glittering ceremony in London.
The awards ceremony was held at The Savoy Hotel and included categories such as Restaurant of the Year, Bar of the Year, Tour Operator of the Year, Destination of the Year and Hotel of the Year.
The awards were voted for entirely by readers of the magazine over a three-month period. Food and Travel is an independent, upscale lifestyle title published 10 times a year.
Peru has been the proud recipient of a clutch of other awards recently, with the South American country being declared the ‘Gastronomic Capital of the Americas’ in 2006 and winning the title of World’s Leading Culinary Destination at the 2012 World Travel Awards.
Meanwhile Lima, Peru’s capital will be a hotbed of culinary talent when top chefs from Mexico, Central and South America descend on the city Thursday and wait with bated breath to learn if their restaurant has been declared the best in Latin America.
It is no coincidence that Peru has been chosen to play host to the inaugural edition of the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2013 awards this week, given that the flavours of Peruvian cuisine are quickly gaining momentum around the world.
Ahead of the gala ceremony, experts and industry leaders bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award to Peruvian rock star chef Gaston Acurio, who could be described as the unofficial ambassador for the country.
The Latin American edition of the awards comes after organizers of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list launched a regional version in Asia earlier this year.
Similar to previous awards, winners for Latin America will be compiled by a group of 250 industry leaders including chefs, restaurateurs and critics representing each region: Mexico and Central America, South America (divided into north and south) and Brazil.
-BERNAMA
