Chef
Speaker
Virgilio Martínez
Chef at Central (Lima, Peru)
Virgilio Martínez's work is based on his concern with exploration, diagnosis and the elevation of lesser known local produce.
Virgilio Martínez, born in Lima, is a Peruvian chef recognised worldwide for representing and promoting Peru, its biodiversity and its landscapes. He is known for his vision of a new gastronomy system that brings together disciplines beyond cooking, marking a turning point in haute cuisine.He is the founder and owner of the restaurant Central (Lima), co-founder of MIL (Cusco) alongside Pía León, and founder of MAZ (Tokyo). He is also co-creator of the interdisciplinary research centre Mater (2013) alongside Malena Martínez.
His motto, ‘there is more outside,’ reflects his drive to investigate and look beyond the known, a philosophy that also guides the Mater team in its projects inside and outside Peru.
Central offers a sensory and visual journey around altitudes and ecosystems, with ingredients ranging from -15 to 4,200 metres above sea level. Its aesthetic and conceptual approach led Central to be recognised as the world's number one restaurant in 2023 by The World's 50 Best Restaurants, consolidating it as a global benchmark.
