LIMA London is today announcing its second collaboration in the LIMA Presents series: Elevation – A celebration of Peru’s bio-diverse natural larder. On Thursday 1st June, award- winning chef, Virgilio Martinez, and internationally-renowned bartender, Simone Caporale, are teaming up for a one-off event, serving a seven-course pairing menu at LIMA Floral, Covent Garden.
Virgilio, who is chef proprietor of both LIMA London and acclaimed restaurant Central (located in Lima and ranked no.5 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants) is renowned for his dedication to researching Peruvian ingredients and heads up an interdisciplinary research team, Mater Iniciativa, who scour Peru’s ecosystems in search of new produce. In this upcoming collaboration, Virgilio will present dishes which showcase the incredible bio-diversity of his country.
Italian-born, award-winning bartender, Simone will be enhancing the flavour experience with a drinks pairing menu, with cocktails designed to complement each dish whilst also encapsulating his distinctive personal style. Simone is one of London’s most revered bar industry figures, well-known for his creative style and voted International Bartender of the Year (2014). Capturing the experiential element of drinking is integral to his work, having been credited for creating a 5* hotel bar experience whilst working at Artesian at The Langham, a dimension he is sure to bring to Lima Presents…Elevation.
Having tasted each and every ingredient set to feature in Virgilio’s menu to ensure the perfect pairing, Simone says: “We are honoured to be given the opportunity to work with Virgilio again – last time we were in the Peruvian Andes! Not only this, but it will allow diners to experience new ingredients and flavours, hopefully making them reflect on the beautiful and fragile ecosystems from where they have been sourced.”
Gabriel Gonzalez, LIMA’s Managing Director, says: “Our latest collaboration at LIMA Presents with Simone offers the very best in both food and drink, all to the backdrop of LIMA Floral’s relaxed Peruvian restaurant. We are really excited and privileged to have Simone on board, as his fantastic cocktail creations are the perfect match for Virgilio’s world-class food.”
On Wednesday 31st May, LIMA Presents will also be hosting its first event at LIMA Fitzrovia: La Playa. The Michelin-starred restaurant will transform into a ‘Cevicheria’, transporting guests to the sunny
shores of Peru’s capital city for one night only. LIMA London chefs, Virgilio Martinez and Robert Ortiz, have put together a five-course ceviche menu, showcasing the flavours of the sea, as well as a sweet ceviche-based dessert.
LIMA Floral and LIMA Fitzrovia will be hosting special events throughout the year, dedicated to the most exquisite dining and evenings of Peruvian entertainment in London.