The World’s 50 Best: Virgilio Martínez’s emotional speech after Central’s triumph in the world ranking

Central became the best restaurant in the worldaccording to the list of 50 Best 2023. Moved, Virgilio Martínez and Pía León took the podium, accompanied by some members of their team, to thank their team, their colleagues and Peru for this recognition.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us today […] Thank you Peru, thank you Lima,” Virgilio said to the applause of colleagues from around the world. “This is not about being number 1, about the competition, nor about being the best. This is about what we do every day, loving what we do, continuing to achieve our beautiful goals and seeking the truth,” he added.

Pía León also addressed a few words of thanks to her team, which are both in Spain and Peru. She recognized the hard work that all the staff at Casa Túpac have done: Central, MIl and Kjolle (all the brands they handle). “We have been working very hard, but always taking a break and looking back to see the steps we have been taking and reflecting on,” she mentioned.

Then he turned to Virgil to thank him for his constancy and perseverance. “I think you are a unique example,” he told her on the Valencian stage. To then ask yourself, “what is the use of working so hard if there is no path or guide at the end?”. Watch the video of Virgilio Martínez and Pía León’s speech here:

Directed by chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía León, Central entered the 50 Best list for the first time in 2013. In 2015, it was ranked in the Top 5 in the world, a place it lost in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, it reached the number 4 and in 2022 he was crowned second in the world. His path to first place was marked.

TOP 5 OF THE 50 BEST 2023

Position 1: Central (Peru)

Position 2: Enjoy (Spain)

Position 3: Diverxo (Spain)

Position 4: Asador Etxebarri (Spain)

Place 5: Alchemist (Denmark)

PERUVIAN RESTAURANTS IN THE 50 BEST 2023

Position 1: Central (Peru)

Position 6: Maido

28th place: Kjolle

Position 47: Mayta

THE CENTRAL STORY

On April 20, 2009, Central opened its doors in the Miraflores district. The restaurant is so named because its heavy polished concrete walls evoked the atmosphere of a modern factory. “Also because it is reminiscent of the Central Market, as it is precisely a market cuisine that is offered here, because this -a glass cube- is located in the center of the restaurant, as the undisputed protagonist. And lastly, because it intends to centralize the best of Peruvian gastronomy”, announced the magazine “Somos” about the inauguration. Years later, they moved to a new house in Barranco.

WHAT IS EATEN IN CENTRAL?

It is a guided trip of about 3 or 4 hours, depending on the time each diner takes to enjoy the dishes. It is a luxurious journey through the Peruvian ecosystems, techniques, colors and, of course, flavors.

Each step carries a recycled paper chart that indicates the color palette that will be seen at all times and represents the ecosystem in which it is located, in addition, you will have at hand the description of what the plates contain and the level of height above (or below) sea level from where the main products of the dish are extracted. The dishes, each one very particular and different from the others, are made by artists, which increases the visual richness that comes from the food itself and goes in harmony with the ecosystem of each step.