13:02 | Lima, Mar. 11 (ANDINA).
The Embassy of Peru in Kuwait hopes the Peruvian Food Festival would give the Kuwaiti public a taste of the South American country's diverse landscape, culture, and love for food and life.
"The is the best opportunity to introduce our country to Kuwait. The embassy opened in November, 2011 and this is the biggest cultural event we have had (so far)", Charge d'Affaires ad interim Gustavo Bravo told KUNA at the launch of the six-day event, on Sunday evening.
"The event is not only gastronomical but also cultural," Bravo told Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) in an
exclusive interview, referring to a group of professional dancers who were flown in specifically to perform the traditional elegant and colorful 'Marinera' dance.
Preparing the food is renowned Peruvian chef Javier Morante, who was also flown in to Kuwait for the event.
The festival is being organized by the JW Marriot Hotel in collaboration with the Embassy of Peru and Kuwait's National Council for Culture, Arts,
and Letters.
Peru is recognized for its culinary tours, food safaris, world class cooking schools, and food fiestas - including the Mistura Food Festival. It also recently won the award for the world's leading culinary destination at the World Travel Awards.
At the entrance, visitors to the festival were handed a glass of Chicha Morada, a dark sweet refreshing syrup-like drink consumed cold since ancient times, and which is the result of boiling purple corn with pineapple, cinnamon, clove, and sugar.
As for food, the oblong-shaped Tacu tacu - a mixture of beans and rice, fried and topped with breaded and pan-fried steak and an onion salsa - was both delicious and scrumptious.
Other popular local dishes on the buffet included Fish Ceviche, Lomo Saltado (sauteed beef), and Pulpo al Olivo (octopus in black olive sauce).
"We have coasts, highlands, and the Amazon," said Bravo, noting the three geographic regions that support the variety of ingredients found in Peruvian cuisine. Located in western South America, Peru borders five countries; Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia. It has no doubt taken influences from each.
(END) INT/MOC
Published: 3/11/2013