Two recent publications by Universidad de San Martín de Porres (USMP) School of Communication Sciences, Tourism and Psychology will compete in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, described as the Oscars of food industry.
The cookbook shortlist 2017 includes Cocina Peruana, Historia, Cultura y Sabores, by writer and researcher Sara Beatriz Guardia. It is listed in the Culinary History category.
On the other hand, La Cocina Francesa en el Perú, by journalist Mirko Lauer, was nominated in the French category.
Both works have been chosen to represent Peru at the competition, which honors the best food books
from 209 countries.
The books had first to qualify in a national competition, from where they were picked by the jury to compete overseas.
Cocina Peruana, Historia, Cultura y Sabores (Peruvian Cuisine, History, and Flavors) offers a cross-country tour that explores top nutritious plants and fruits from pre-Columbian times, listing their benefits and forms of consumption to study the evolution of Peruvian food as a result of its fusion with Spanish cuisine during the viceroyalty period and the leading role of French cuisine in the nineteenth century, as evidenced at the banquets offered in honor of heroes like Miguel Grau or Andres Avelino Caceres.
Guardia’s work also recognizes Italian, Chinese and Japanese contributions to our gastronomy thanks to immigration.
On the other hand, La Cocina Francesa en el Perú (French Cuisine in Peru) delves deeper into the history of French food's introduction in Peru during colonial times, with a noticeable presence at viceroys’ tables; it also lists the principal French food restaurants that operated in the Andean nation, mainly in Lima, such as Café de París of Le Pavillon, and explains why this cuisine did not have the influence and popularity that Italian or Chinese ones did.
Moreover, the book includes recipes from five French dishes included in current Peruvian menus, as well as cooking directions of a French/Peruvian chef based in Peru.
The Gourmand Awards Ceremony will take place in Yantai, China from May 27-28.
(END) NDP/ART/RMB
Published: 2/18/2017