Eduardo Montes

head chef Home: Huancayo, Peru

Christmas in Peru happens during summer. On Christmas Eve or La Noche home, Buena, open we would the gifts, attend and Misa feast de on Gallo a bounty in the of church, food. The head next day, we would visit our family and friends and naturally, eat some more. On the dining table, there would be turkey,

tamales, quinoa salad, panetón (dried fruits cake), and hot chocolate with cinnamon and cloves.

We also have a Chocolatada Navideña or Hot Chocolate Christmas tradition in Peru. During December, we would hand out homemade chocolates, panetón and small gifts to children or to the less-fortunate. It is always fun to see the eager faces of the children waiting for their special treats. I also love going to the Santurantikuy Market, a fun Christmas fair in Cusco where artisans from all over the country come and sell their stuff. This is going to be my first Christmas in Bali. I miss my family and friends, but I’m also happily working on a four-course Amazon rainforest-inspired dinner menu for our special Christmas event.