Gastón Acurio is a cuisine chef, writer, businessman, and advocate of Peruvian culinary art. In 2005, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year by America Economía magazine – the most important business magazine in South America.
He attended law school in the late 80s but his passion for cuisine was so strong that he decided to leave to study culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu Paris. It was in Paris that he met Astrid and, in 1994, they opened Astrid & Gastón, one of the first Peruvian "haute cuisine" restaurants.
Initially very French orientated due to his training, Gastón soon started experimenting with Peruvian ingredients and taking inspiration from local traditions. In 2012 the restaurant was rated 35th in the "World's 50 Best Restaurants list". In 2017, Astrid & Gastón restaurant was rated 7th in the "Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants". With 33 restaurants in 12 countries, today the Acurio group is leading the Peruvian culinary revolution.
In 2009, Chef Acurio received the international “Prince Claus of Holland” award in the category "Collective Memories and Journalism" for his significant contribution in the field of culture and its development. That same year, he was honored by the Madrid Fusión Festival panel for defending the biodiversity of Peru and Latin America, and invited as main speaker at Madrid Fusion 2011.
Lima City has become the gastronomic capital of South America, and host of Mistura, the greatest culinary festival in the region. Acurio was in charge of the festival organization for 3 years as president of APEGA (Peruvian Gastronomy Society), welcoming 200,000 people from around the world in 2011. He is still involved in the organization of Mistura as a board member.
Gastón is the main supporter of the Pachacutec School of Cuisine, based in one of the poorest areas of Lima, which provides an institute, with leading instructors, for underprivileged young people.
As a writer, he has published 20 books which are all national bestsellers. His latest publication 500 Años de Fusión (500 Years of Fusion) was voted "Best International Cookbook" at the 2008 "Gourmand World Cookbook Awards". Acurio also hosts a weekly cable TV show “Aventura Culinaria” (Culinary Adventure) and reality show "Master Chef" Peru.
