Central tops Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014

Peruvian restaurant Central picked up the prestigious Best Restaurant in Latin America title in this week’s award ceremony in Lima. Chef-owner Virgilio Martinez saw his restaurant climb three places from last year’s list which also saw Central named the S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Peru.

William Drew, Group Editor for Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, said: “The list provides credible recommendations across the region. Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants is based on the opinions of over 250 members of the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of leaders in the restaurant industry who are recognised as experts in the regional culinary scene. “The challenge to Latin America restaurants is great: the restaurants in this list will attract attention from across the world.” An array of diverse features earned this recognition for Central from original appetisers such as pisco sour with coca leaves and entrees like tiradito served with tiger’s milk ceviche, to the restaurant’s decoration and urban orchard, home to a wide range of produce and continuous experiments with new fruit, herb and vegetable varieties.

Central beat Astrid y Gaston, also from Peru, into second place while D.O.M. and Mani, both from Brazil, were ranked third and fourth respectively as Chilean restaurant Borago came fifth. Borago and D.O.M. were presented with The S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Chile and Brazil awards respectively. Pujol won the Mexico equivalent, Tegui was picked as the best in Argentina while Parador La Huella (Uruguay), Alto (Venezuela), Gustu (Bolivia) and Criterion (Colombia)also picked up national awards. As well as naming the top 50 places, the awards ceremony also presented a number of other awards including The One to Watch which went to Ambrosia in Chile while Veuve Clicquot Latin America’s Best Female Chef award was given to Elena Reygadas of Rosetta, Mexico. El Banqueano of Argentina was the highest climber with fellow Argentinean Tarquino given the Highest New Entry award. Lifetime achievement award was picked up by Alex Atala, D.O.M. and the chef’s choice award was won by Peru’s Gaston Acurio. This year’s awards ceremony also included a new addition with Buenos Aires-based chef Osvaldo Gross picking up the inaugural Latin America’s Best Pastry Chef crown. 

Pics courtesy of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, held in Lima, Peru, September 2014.