Master chef Virgilio Martínez recreates classic British dishes for Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal
A unique UK-Peruvian menu prepared by one of the world’s top chefs marked The Princess Royal’s visit to Peru
Master chef Virgilio Martínez recreates classic British dishes for Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal
On 14 September, the British Ambassador, Anwar Choudhury hosted a special event to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal back to Peru. Part of the UK’s Food is GREAT campaign, the British Embassy teamed up with world-renowned chef Virgilio Martínez to put a Peruvian twist on great British classics.
Her Royal Highness and approximately 50 guests were invited to explore an innovative menu, including Toad in the Hole and Shepherd’s Pie, highlighting the unique strengths and characteristics of British food, with an exotic Peruvian twist.
Speaking about the event, the British Ambassador to Peru, Anwar Choudhury, said:
‘We couldn’t be more excited about partnering with Virgilio to showcase the very best of British food through the eyes—or should I say taste buds—of one of the world’s most talented chefs. This is about bringing a Peruvian master of innovation to create culinary masterpieces inspired by longstanding British classics that anyone can enjoy. The UK has much more to offer than just fish and chips’.
Virgilio Martínez added:
‘It is an honour for us to welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Anne to Peru. We have enjoyed designing innovative takes on classic British dishes whilst also showcasing local Peruvian ingredients. British food has evolved a lot over the years—London is now on the cutting-edge—so it has been a real treat for me and my team to research and creating something special that will hopefully result in a memorable culinary experience’.
Martínez is the founder and owner of Central, his flagship restaurant in Peru, which is ranked fifth in the World (and Latin America’s #1 restaurant). He is also the owner of many other restaurants globally and in the UK, including his Michelin Starred Lima restaurant in London.
A growing wave of consumer interest in the UK about the food they eat, cook, and buy has given birth to a food and drink industry that prides itself on quality products. The UK is now home to more than 160 Michelin star restaurants, a new breed of British chefs whose recipes are being served around the world, and a new generation of gastro-pubs serving top quality food and drinks.
Photos from the Food is GREAT reception with the Her Royal Highness and Virgilio Martinez can be found here.
Additional facts:
- In just ten years, global demand for UK food and drink has grown by nearly a third and our exports are worth over £20bn, providing unprecedented opportunities for UK exporters, international buyers and international investors.
- The UK’s food culture dates back hundreds of years, from brewing beer and wine making to dairy and cheese making. There are over 700 named British cheeses.
- Scotch whisky won over 200 quality awards in 2016, including the world’s best single malt whisky. British gin received over 90 quality awards, such as Ableforth’s Bathtub Gin, named one of the best gins in the world.
- The recognition of exceptional quality is driving international demand for UK food and drinks – last year, exports of UK gin hit a record of nearly £500m. Produce, such as British pork, saw a 70% increase in Chinese consumer spend in 2016 and British lamb was voted 2016 product of the year by French consumers.