As part of efforts to promote the Inca nation's native products and gastronomy in the United Kingdom, Peru's Trade Office in London (Ocex London) organized the "Young Chef of the Year Peru" contest.
The competition gathered a large number of British culinary art students and young chefs under 26 years old, who cooked a three-course Peruvian inspired meal.
Menus had to feature at least one Peruvian ingredient out of the following: avocado, quinoa and cacao.
After narrowing participants down to seven finalists, contest judges eventually chose young chef Farah Smith from Chotto Matte restaurant as the winner.
Smith won a 1-week trip to Lima for an internship at Central, the exclusive restaurant owned by Chefs' Choice Award winner Virgilio Martinez.
The prize was granted by Peruvian Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Claudio Julio De La Puente Ribeyro.
The jury was composed of renowned chef and Westminster Kingsway College – Hospitality & Culinary Arts School professor Jose Souto, as well as national chefs from London's top Peruvian restaurants and food critics.
(END) NDP/DHT/MVB