Here is one of the most important posts so far, so listen up! We have an official press release that you can read here and an official flyer to go with it. With 'official' in mind, we are pleased to 'officially' tell you that bookings are already available for the festival! So you can call or email...

020 7318 8563 or hello@cookbookcafe.co.uk

There is the golden nugget of information - make sure you book quickly so you don't miss out!

Here is a little more information that comes with the press release - don't worry, you don't need to learn this bit off by heart!

 ‘FLAVOURS OF PERU’

PERUVIAN CUISINE FESTIVAL AT INTERCONTINENTAL LONDON PARK LANE HOTEL

17 – 23 OCTOBER 2011

The Embassy of Peru is delighted to announce that Cookbook Cafe, at InterContinental London Park Lane, will host ‘Flavours of Peru', a week-long gourmet food festival celebrating traditional and contemporary Peruvian cuisine. Acclaimed chef Virgilio Martinez of ‘Restaurante Central’ in Lima will create the culinary festival that runs from 17^th – 23^rd October 2011.

‘Flavours of Peru’ at Cookbook Cafe will reflect the growing celebration of the diversity of Peruvian cuisine. The menu will be preceded by renowned Pisco Sours; a unique and elegant cocktail made with Pisco, a distilled Peruvian grape brandy. Musical entertainment during the Festival and the screenings of the Peruvian documentary 'Cooking up Dreams' at the ‘Shortwave’ cinema, will contribute to bring Peru’s rich culture to London on that week.

Peruvian Cuisine has a long and distinguished history. The potato was brought back to Europe having been originally grown high in the Peruvian Andes. With migration from Spain, Africa, China, Italy, and Japan, a huge variety of influences and techniques have been brought to bear on the native cuisine; the impressively eclectic results include ceviches, stews and chifa (a traditional Peruvian-Chinese fusion). A strong regional identity predominates, with dishes from the Andean region still featuring ingredients from pre-Inca times; or the cuisine of the jungle, which has its own distinctive fish, fruit and vegetables.

Virgilio Martinez has held the position of Executive Chef at ‘Astrid y Gaston Restaurante’, listed on the ‘San Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurants’ list. He is currently chef patron of ‘Restaurante Central’ in Lima, which has received critical acclaim since opening in 2010. Before opening in his home city, Virgilio worked in notable kitchens in New York, London, Singapore, and Spain. He is set to open his own restaurant in London next year, with a site earmarked in Shoreditch.