“For me, taking part is an opportunity to keep growing and to come a little closer to discovering what I want to do in this world,” states Giacomo Centurión, chosen to represent Perú in the 1st Americas Young Chef Award.
At 20, Giacomo Centurion studies Gastronomy at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. He has trained in small kitchens, where he learned to work under pressure, to adapt and to value every member of the team.
Curious by nature, he likes to research ingredients, learn their stories and make mistakes so he can try again. He finds inspiration outside the kitchen, in music, painting, photography and design. For him, cooking is a form of expression, of knowledge and of preserving memory, and he looks for new possibilities in Peru’s identity ingredients without losing their meaning.
Giacomo dreams of developing his own culinary proposal and creating experiences that spark curiosity, emotions and questions.
At the 2026 Americas Young Chef Awards, Giacomo presented Los Castigos, a reinterpretation of “ranfañote” that transports the dish to the Peruvian Amazon. It draws inspiration from a work about the Bora community, as well as from stories of displacement, exploitation, and the loss of traditional knowledge among Amazonian peoples. It weaves together various narratives of resistance and endurance, viewing cuisine as a means of preserving memory. The dish incorporates Amazon nuts, coconut, bellaco plantains, cocona, rough-skinned lemon, and bijao leaves—all sourced directly from markets and stalls specializing in Amazonian products.
Awarded 1st Prize in the competition, Giacomo impressed the jury with his dish’s outstanding execution, beautiful presentation and harmonious union of flavours. Los Castigos was technically accomplished and delicious, supported by thoughtful research and a compelling story.
About IGCAT’s Young Chef Awards
The Young Chef Award is an international competition organised by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) that gathers young culinary talents from awarded and candidate Regions of Gastronomy annually, and hosted its first Americas edition in 2026 in Manabí, World Region of Gastronomy 2026. Selected each year through local contests, finalists of the Young Chef Awards compete by innovating traditional recipes from their regions using local ingredients.
IGCAT counts on the support of the official ambassador of the Americas competition, Manabitan-renowned chef Valentina Álvarez who truly endorses its principles. Valentina stated that “Gastronomy is a magical intersection that blends landscapes, people, culture, products, and heritage, from which a fabric is woven that builds an identity allowing us to call ourselves!”
The 1st edition of the Americas Young Chef Award is organised and promoted by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism (IGCAT) and hosted by Manabí, World Region of Gastronomy 2026 at Iche School-Restaurant-Lab, with the support of the Fuegos Foundation, Prefectura of Manabí and CAF.
About the World Regions of Gastronomy
World Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures; create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation; nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education; driving environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; supporting balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlighting and supporting expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practices; and contributing to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance of protecting and promoting distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguarding our planet, health, wellness and local economies.
IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations.
IGCAT founded the World/European Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the World/European Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the World Food Gift Challenge, the Top Websites for Foodie Travelers Award and the international Food Film Menu.
