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New cuisine in ancient valley
Ancestral flavours and modern techniques combine to form an irresistible fiesta of colours and sensations in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Text: José Summer Trigoso (*)
 The creativity of Teddy Bouroncle, Corporate Chef of Casa Andina, shines in a very special way in the Casa Andina Sacred Valley Private Collection, for it was here that Teddy began his gastronomic adventure with this Peruvian hotel chain.
In this remote spot, where nobody would expect to find gourmet cuisine, a number of remarkable dishes are on offer that incorporate regional ingredients and achieve a perfect blend of Novo Andean and international cuisine. This fusion is expressed in a wide variety of entrees and main courses, prepared with fresh ingredients harvested from the hotel's own gardens, as well as delicious desserts based on Andean fruits and homemade ice cream.
Sowing the Future
On the new menu presented by Teddy towards the end of 2005 several previously unused products from the region have been incorporated, such as arracach (or Peruvian carrot), different coloured quinua, several varieties of potato and other Andean crops to which Bouroncle applies the most advanced techniques of international cooking.
As well as the natural contribution to local communities resulting from the purchase of their agricultural products - those which are not grown in the hotel's gardens - Casa Andina contributes actively to local development by providing local farmers with seeds which are the product of the very latest research.
Not to be missed
Casa Andina Sacred Valley Private Collection was opened in July 2004 and was the first of the chain's four properties to adopt this exclusive format. The other three hotels, which present the same gastronomic fusion but with varying regional ingredients, are located in Cusco, Puno (facing Lake Titicaca) and the private island of Suasi, also on Titicaca.
One dish not to be missed by food lovers is "lamb's ribs in mint and apple sauce with sweet salad and red quinua" - a true sybarite's paean before embarking on a journey into time through the natural splendour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
* Specialist in regional cuisine. |
