Episode 93: Virgilio Martinez

Food Talk with Mike Colameco

This week on Food Talk with Mike Colameco, Mike is joined by the acclaimed Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez, whose restaurant Central is currently ranked #4 on the World’s 50 Best list and #1 in Latin America. He has also written a book (also called Central) which follows the restaurant’s innovative tasting menu, where Martinez’s dishes are organized by the altitudes of Peru, demonstrating the biodiversity of his native land—from below sea level in the Pacific Ocean to the peaks of the Andes and beyond. Motivated by a curiosity and interest in conveying the complexity of his land, Martinez creates elaborate dishes made from previously unknown ingredients and elevates Peruvian cuisine to new heights.