Books like: “Gastronomy Patagonia” from Gourmet Patagonia publishing, created by chef Francisco Fantini, was awarded as the best culinary publication of the year according to Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2011, a national contest that honors the best gastronomic publications in the world.
This publication highlights the best of culinary art, accompanied by local recipes, pairing suggestions, and beautiful photographs that showcase the richness of Patagonian cuisine. The book was chosen from over 30,000 titles from 163 countries, making Chile the second Latin American country to receive this recognition.
The Delicious Pot
We also present anthropologist Sonia Montesino, author and culinary writer of the delightful book “Mestizo Kitchens of Chile. The Delicious Pot”, who years ago received the well-deserved Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2005 (Best Culinary History Book in Spanish for Latin America), published by the Pre-Columbian Art Museum with the support of Banco Santander, Santiago, 2005 (Catalonia publishing reissued it the following year). With this book, we explore northern, central, and southern Chile, revisiting dishes considered traditional by the inhabitants of each region.
In 2015, the Chilean Restaurant Borago, located in Vitacura, Chile, owned by Chef Rodolfo Guzmán, was recognized as one of the best in the world, ranking at #42 according to the list of the top 50 restaurants worldwide announced by the British magazine “Restaurant” in London. That same year, it ranked #2 in Latin America's 50, a ceremony that awards the best 50 restaurants in Latin America. During this event, the Chef’s Choice 2015 award was given to Borago, received by Rodolfo Guzmán.
This achievement complements its position among the top 10 restaurants in the Americas, as listed in this publication in 2014. “Borago”’s core concept focuses on “native” cuisine, rediscovering Chilean traditions, products, and techniques. Among its standout dishes is the crispy milk-fed veal.
The Best Restaurants
Additionally, in the September 2015 Latin America's 50 list, restaurants such as: 99 Restaurant, located at Andrés de Fuenzalida 99, in Providencia, with super creative and exciting dishes, ranked at #46—its first appearance on this list; then at #32, Ambrosía Restaurant, led by chef Carolina Bazán; and El Osaka by chef Ciro Watanabe, which also returned to the Top 50 Latin American restaurants at #25.
There is also Juan Pablo Mellado Arana, a young chef of 35 years, widely recognized in the national culinary scene.
He was part of the team of renowned Spanish chef Ferrán Adrià, worked in major restaurants in Spain, and taught in New York. He also serves as Corporate Chef at the Culinary School, presides over the culinary organization Pebre, and this year advised the Chilean TV cooking reality “Top Chef.” He is the author of the internationally recognized book “Made in Chile.”
He claims that his distinctive cuisine features salads and vegetables, with many well-prepared varieties. Next are sandwiches, some unique to Chile and a national pride, such as Chacarero, which was included by Time magazine among the 13 best in the world.
The historic monument, Santiago Central Market, located in the historic center of the Chilean capital, within the Santiago commune, has been in operation for 143 years. In June 2012, it was ranked the fifth-best in the world by National Geographic magazine; it is a beautiful place renowned for its traditional cuisine, part of Chile’s culinary heritage, visited by both foreign and local tourists.
It’s worth noting that you can enjoy delicious, exquisite Chilean food worldwide, such as Sabores Chilenos, located at 10760 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33174; El Tabo, located at C/Lleida nº 15 08004 Barcelona, Spain; and Café-bar Merquén, located at Viladomat, 36, Barcelona, Spain—all known for serving great Chilean cuisine and showcasing their culinary art.
