The three-day event, which started today at the Campo Ferial of Ica, will highlight dishes from nine Peruvian regions, including Ica, Moquegua, Tacna, Puno, Madre de Dios, Ayacucho, Cusco, Apurimac and Arequipa.

Marisol Acosta, deputy director for domestic tourism at Promperu, said the festival's goal is to promote the attractions of these departments and use cuisine as a tool in tourism promotion.

Across the entire festival grounds visitors will find 38 food stands offering more than 100 traditional dishes prepared by restaurants, rural women's organizations and community associations.

The event, which expects to attract 25,000 visitors, also features music shows, parades and cooking classes by renowned chefs. 'Peru, Mucho Gusto' is the slogan with which the country has been promoting its cuisine since 2006.

(END) LTO/JOT/EEP