At The APEC Summit, Team Peru Provided Guests With An Extraordinary Experience- And For A Series Of Moments, Access To The Finest Dining Experience In Lima. 

Given The Quality Of The Food Scene In Peru, This Is An Enormous Compliment.  

Update: Peru Completely Embarrassed Organizers Of G20 Leaders’ Summit In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

One visual this week was Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chavez (LIM) in Lima, Peru, transformed into the world’s most exclusive parking lot.  The Boeing 747-200B Air Force One from the United States.  Two Air China Boeing 747-800 aircraft from the People’s Republic of China.  Assorted aircraft from other participating countries.  Wing tips are nearly touching due to the quantity of aircraft.  NOTE: Air Force One is soon to be replaced by a 747-800 aircraft.    

Another visual was watching and interacting with Team Peru within the confines of the APEC Summit International Media Center (IMC) as they delivered flawlessly the entirety of each culinary and service offering.  Even if there was a moment when an impending deliverable might have been compromised, Team Peru representatives searched for and found a solution. 

The 5 November 2024 re-election of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States created for Peru an unprecedented presentation opportunity.   

While APEC gatherings receive attention, the Trump-Has-Risen spectacle meant more analysts, delegates, and media representatives.  So, for Team Peru this was their moment- truly on the world’s stage.  They led with poise and graciousness.  The foundation was presenting who they are and what they grow, what they harvest, what they create. 

Central Restaurante (https://centralrestaurante.com.pe/default.html) is in Lima, Peru.  Considered by many as the finest in the world- certainly the most creative- as this space will attest having dined there during the APEC Summi- to the astonishment of VIPS who need to wait sometimes months for a reservation.  A genuine high-ranking for anyone’s Bucket List.  A thirteen-course menu consisting of nearly forty plates.  An astonishing educational journey through Peru- making use of every sensing mechanism to appreciate the complex (think analytics) deconstruction of each ingredient which is then brought new life.  The chefs at Central Restaurante are explorers…. with unlimited curiosity.   

At the APEC International Media Center, Gate Gourmet, the airline catering subsidiary of Glattbrugg, Switzerland-based Gate Group (2023 revenue approximately US$5.3 billion) tasked their head chef to create not “food” but a daily “experience” for those analysts, delegates, and media representatives fortunate to have access. 

Let us acknowledge and step right into the impending suspicion about even contemplating a comparison of Central Restaurante with Gate Gourmet.  The point is for one the idea of creativity and exceptionality is a given- anything else unacceptable.  For the other- they make thousands of meals per day in industrial kitchens that are then consumed at 30,000 feet, sometimes many hours after preparation.  True, they also create meals for the First Class cabins on some of the world's most prestigious airlines. 

That the creative team at Gate Gourmet did what no one would expect them to do is why what they did deserves mention, accolades, and respect.   

What did they do?  Each day brought schedules for coffee, chocolate, beverages (including preparation demonstrations), and an inspiring selection of small portions featuring ingredients from throughout Peru.   

With a daily schedule published in advance, the pavilion would begin to fill prior to the moments when coffee, chocolate, food, and beverages became available.  There was no communal savagery- everyone was orderly.  Striking was how guests looked at each of the offerings- the items were like miniature works of art- even the dishes reflected the richness, the texture, and the energy. 

The head chef, in his crisp white uniform, who with his team created the multi-day menu, would engage with everyone.  Wear a microphone and interact with all guests- and was a magnet for television crews. 

Guests did not visit the pavilion only to consume whatever was available.  It was for the energy.  To see smiles.  To acknowledge efforts.  The atmosphere was the magnet.  The musical performances were sophisticated, sometimes soft, and sometimes lively- with some ministers joining in the dancing.  The music was additive rather than distracting or creating an imbalance. 

The Comisión de Promoción del Perú para la Exportación y el Turismo (PromPeru) teams provided information about Peru- with a perfectly positioned gathering place. 

Adjacent was an exposition of products from throughout Peru featured within approximately twenty boutiques- all colorful with their representatives wearing Indigenous costumes. 

A highlight were the offerings of Huánuco Province, one of eleven provinces of the Huánuco Region in Peru.  The capital is the city of Huánuco.  With an extremely active marketing team, the boutique was the most visited.  Helpful was the presence of Mag. Antonio Pulgar Lucas, Regional Governor of Huánuco Province, who is a immensely talented marketer-in-chief for products sourced in Huánuco Province, particularly coffee, cacao, liquors, potatoes, and the delicious Prestiños.   

UPDATE: Arrived to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the G20 Leaders’ Summit on 18/19 November 2024.  At the International Media Center, the wi-fi is sometimes not working and when operational is inconsistent and not high speed.  The catering is underwhelming in terms of organization, operational time, selection of items (carbohydrates and sugary beverages and sweets; no proteins).  No plates- guests using coffee saucers and small napkins. There are no displays of products from areas within Brazil.  Of significance, no coffee processing and roasting display; tastings.  There are no musical performances.  The ground transportation system and security screening process for participants is inefficient.  The team members are making an effort, but results thus far are elusive.

UPDATE: During the first day, lunch during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, featured a buffet including some protein (fish, beef).  However, the variety and quality remained excruciatingly underwhelming compared to what was provided at the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru.  As Day Two commences, no sign of the traditional backpacks provided to participants.  The Internet is working more consistently.  There is a malaise among participants which was not evident in Lima.

UPDATE: During the second day, the internet was much improved, the lunch organization and selections were much improved (chicken filets, meat, two types of pastas, salads, rice, beans, etc.), and the traditional backpacks were distributed- although in a wildly inefficient way- using a paper list of 2,500 names to match with laminated identify badges which had bar codes.  Included: Coffee, nuts, electric adaptor, insulated beverage mug with strainer, USB adaptor port, luggage cover (which at first glance everyone believed was a bathing suit, albeit with a fastener placed in what could be a very uncomfortable location.

Background 

Participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is not based upon the size of a country’s economy, its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  APEC is forged by geography.  A country only needs connectively, directly, or indirectly, to the Pacific Ocean.  The type of government selected by a country is not material.   

Lima, Peru, hosted the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) on 15/16/17 November 2024:  

• Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Thailand, United States, Vietnam. 

The Group of 20 (G20) is based solely upon Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is hosting the G20 Leaders’ Summit on 18/19 November 2024: 

• Group of 20 (G20): Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, United Kingdom, United States.  

The Group of 7 (G7) is based less upon GDP and more about type of government. 

• Group of 7 (G7): (2014-Present) includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, and United States. The Russian Federation was excluded in 2014 due to its military actions on the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine.

LINK TO COMPLETE ANALYSIS IN PDF FORMAT