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Food has become a national obsession due to the countrys recent gastronomic boom.

Whilst Peruvians have always enjoyed their local cuisine, the countrys dishes are now
starting to be recognised across the globe, which is a source of much national pride.
Newspapers, websites and television programmes regularly feature reports about the
countrys cuisine, including stories of a new dish that is proving popular locally or of a
Peruvian chef who has opened a successful restaurant abroad. The main annual event for
Peruvian cuisine, Mistura, takes place in Lima every September; it attracted 506,000
visitors in 2012 and, at the 2013 event, revenues are expected to reach US$11 million,
according to an article in El Comercio in April 2013. In 2012, the World Travel Awards
voted Peru the Best Culinary Destination in the World.
Peruvians eating habits are modernising in line with many other aspects of the country. A
vibrant economy has resulted in many people having much less free time due to work
commitments. Therefore, fewer meals are prepared from scratch at home, particularly in
urban areas. This has driven the demand for many pre-prepared food items, particularly
through modern shopping channels. According to Gestion, the demand for packaged sauces
has grown, with spicy sauces being particularly popular. In January 2013, research by the
university ISIL reported that 82% of households in Lima now spend over PEN300 per
month on food.
Rising levels of disposable income are encouraging more Peruvians to eat out. There are
now 90,000 restaurants across the country, 46% of which are in Lima. According to Limas
Chamber of Commerce, 24% of Peruvians eat out once a week and, for 23%, it is a bi-
weekly activity. Unsurprisingly, spending levels vary significantly according to socio-
economic demographic. Those in segment A spend PEN62 per person when eating out,
compared to just PEN10.50 for consumers in segment D.
Chicken dishes are currently experiencing a surge in popularity, much of which is due to
pollo a la brasa, a traditional Peruvian dish, similar to blackened chicken in the United
States. Pollo a la brasa is a very special and symbolic dish, which has become the darling of
Peruvian consumers, according to Jose Vera, from the Peruvian Association of Poultry
(APA). A report by broadcaster RPP in September 2012 shows that chicken consumption
has been increasing steadily over the last decade, with 51% of Peruvians now saying they
regularly eat chicken, compared to 42% in 2000. The report suggests that chicken has been
popular because Peruvians like its taste, it has health benefits, and most importantly it is
versatile. Per capita consumption of chicken in Peru now stands at 13.7kg, but, in the
capital Lima, consumption is thought to be higher. It has been a different story for fish,
with just 27% of the population now saying they consume it on a regular basis (3% less
than in 2000). This is despite the fact that Peru has one of the largest fishing industries in
the world.
Despite the modernisation of Perus food industry, the traditional men remains a firm
favourite amongst the low- to middle-income population. The menu is a three-course meal,
usually taking place in a small, traditional caf. Typically, there is a choice of two to three
starters, three to four main courses and two to three desserts. The items on offer are
normally of Peruvian origin, based around potatoes, rice, fish and meat. This is particularly
popular amongst workers who do not have the time to prepare their own lunch and cannot
afford to eat at restaurants every day. The cost of a menu varies depending on the location.
Menus as cheap as PEN4 can be found in the provinces, whereas PEN14 would be expected
in a wealthy Lima neighbourhood.
However, as the gastronomic boom picks up momentum, Peruvians are becoming more
demanding when they go out to eat. An article on Peru 21 in September 2012 shows that
around 23% of restaurants went out of business in 2011. In 60% of cases, the primary
reason was poor service, 25% of closures were a result of mismanagement, and 15% was
due to a lack of variety on the menu.
Street food continues to play a large part in Peruvians daily life. The most popular dishes
include salchipapa (hot dog and chips), ceviche, kebabs and chicken sandwiches. Only 19%
of people say that they almost never eat food purchased on the street. About 22% consumes
food through this channel once a week, 39% several times a week, 14% on a daily basis,
and 6% several times a day. The health issues that are regularly associated with this activity
do not appear to be a concern for most Peruvians: 67% says that eating food sold by street
vendors does not do any harm to the body.
New legislation puts fast food consumption under the microscope
Fast-food chains continue to grow in popularity: With nearly 560 outlets across the country,
with KFC, Pizza Hut, Bembos and McDonalds being the most popular. A report in Gestion
in June 2012 reported that fast food and snacks make up 43% of average teenagers
expenditure. These sorts of statistics have brought the issue of fast-food consumption
sharply into focus. In May 2013, legislation was passed in congress to improve education
about nutrition and remove junk food from schools. Fast-food companies are now banned
from releasing advertising that is aimed specifically at children and youths. We cannot
view our children as simply a market to generate sales and maximise profits, said the
countrys President Ollanta Humala.

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