Chef Gastón Acurio Summer Fundraising Tour

Chef Gastón Acurio will tour American this summer with three exclusive events to benefit his Peruvian-based culinary school for underprivileged students. Between June 11 and 15, 2017, Acurio will visit his three American-based restaurants, La Mar by Gastón Acurio Miami, Tanta Chicago, and La Mar San Francisco, to host a unique event in each market with all proceeds benefitting Pachacútec Culinary Institute in Pachacútec, Peru. Tickets will be available for purchase via the restaurants’ websites.

Opened in 2007 as a cooking school for underprivileged students, the Pachacútec Culinary Institute was founded by Acurio to satisfy the growing interest among the younger generation in Peru in the culinary arts. The school provides classes covering the history of Peruvian cuisine, kitchen techniques, nutrition, and English language. They also learn from great masters of Peruvian cuisine, who are guest teachers at the school.

Highlighting the culinary talent in each kitchen, Acurio will collaborate with Chefs Diego Oka (Miami), Jesus Delgado (Chicago), and Victoriano Lopez (San Francisco) to host three special events showcasing authentic Peruvian experiences. “I’m thrilled to get in the kitchen with each of these talented chefs,” says Acurio. “They are like family, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to cook alongside them once again.”

The tour lineup is:

La Mar by Gastón Acurio Miami – Sunday, June 11

With the Mandarin Oriental, Miami’s unique island setting, Acurio and Chef Diego Oka will host collaborative Peruvian culinary event featuring local chefs on Miami’s exclusive Brickell Beach. The event will start at 6pm with all-inclusive tickets offered at $120.

Tanta Chicago – Tuesday, June 13

Executive Chef Jesus Delgado partners with Acurio, who he credits as his culinary mentor, for a Peruvian street food-inspired event on the restaurant’s rooftop from 6-9pm. With stations serving traditional Peruvian favorites including cebiche, empanadas, tiraditos, and anticuchos, Pisco Sour bars, and live Peruvian music, all-inclusive tickets will be offered at $125. Tickets are available for purchase at www.tantachicago.com.

La Mar San Francisco – Thursday, June 15

As Acurio’s right-hand-man for over two decades, La Mar San Francisco’s Executive Chef Victoriano Lopez welcomes him to the last stop of his tour. The duo will offer the following two options for San Franciscans:

• 6:30 p.m.: Cocktail reception with Peruvian appetizer stations and live Latin music; all-inclusive tickets available for $129
• 7:00 p.m.: VIP option for six-course dinner prepared by Lopez and Acurio at La Mar’s exclusive Chef’s Table with beverage pairings and wines selected by Master Sommelier Emmanuel Kemiji included ($250)