In the seven years since its inception, Mistura has become South America's largest food festival. Its aim is to promote Peruvian cuisine as a basis for cultural identity and as a factor in broad-based economic development. The name means mixture, a fitting tribute to the Peruvian foods that finds on offer at the event, dishes which can claim roots in the Spanish, Italian, African, Andean, Japanese, and Chinese cultures.
Apega, the Peruvian Gastronomy Association, has announced that this year, the Mistura Food Festival will run from Septembher 5th through 11th. The fair will take place just north of the Miraflores district, at Magdalena del Mar on the Costa Verde.
More than a half million people are expected to attend the event, among them 25,000 foreign tourists, mainly from the United States, Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil.
Part of the fair is always dedicated to a farmers' market where intrepid shoppers can buy goods from Peru's jungle, desert coast, and Andes region. This is a great opportunity to try exotic fruits and vegetables, or to stock up on suitable travel souvenirs and gifts such as pisco and chocolate.
Peru's most renowned restaurants and cooks offer dishes at a mere fraction of their regular cost, as do participating international chefs. Meanwhile, newcomers compete for titles ranging from best bread to best chanfainita (cow's lung stew). About a week or so before the event, Lima's local papers will detail the year's ‘must-trys'
Each year, there is a theme which is highlighted, such as sustainable seafood or Andean grains (cañihua, quinua, kiwicha, etc), but we unfortunately do not yet know what this year's theme will be. This should be announced closer to the actual event, alongside the roster of renowned national and international chefs who will be charged with giving talks, judging the competitions, and participating in the forums.
Evening concerts add a lively air to the festivities and provide a satisfying finish to each day. Don't miss the fun, and join the hundreds of thousands of others who will attend the Mistura Festival throughout its duration as they drink, dance, and eat!
