Years ago, Peruvian gastronomical culture has never always been the world's "next big thing." But one day, a man created a change. He revolutionized the culinary field in Peru which turned the world upside down. Today, Peru has become one of the world's leading culinary capitals. The man who is guilty of starting that change is none other than Chef Gaston Acurio.

"Gastón made Peruvian food fashionable," said Indira Vildosola, a restaurateur who worked as a chef in the US, the Caribbean and Chile before opening her own restaurant in Lima.

With his great talent and extraordinary skills in the kitchen, Chef Gaston Acurio became one of the reasons why Peruvian cuisines are getting the globe's attention which creates more business and job opportunities for other Peruvian suppliers and chefs.

Vildosola also added, "We used to take pride in Machu Picchu, and now we're proud of our food."

In 1980's, Acurio was almost an inch of working as a lawyer as he studied the field his family has chosen for him. But because his love for food was stronger, he decided to take a different path and chose to become a chef. He studied culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu Paris where he met his wife and soon to be business partner, Astrid Gutsche.

For Acurio, his delicacies are more than just a good-looking meal, according to The Guardian. To him, the ingredients used to prepare his masterpieces are like a series of moral and political decisions shaped by ethical choices, environmental principles and cultural statements.

"Cooking allows you to promote a series of values," Gaston Acurio said. "The chef is someone who acts as a bridge between consumers and farmers, fisherman, industry and nutrition and health," he added.

Acurio has been awarded by America Economia Magazine as the "2005 Entrepreneur of the Year." Aside from that, he has also been included in the international Prince Clause of Holland Award under "Collective Memories and Journalism" category.

Author of 'Peru: The Cookbook', Acurio now owns more than 44 restaurants making every "journey through modern Peru" accessible not just in Lima, Peru but in all parts of the world. There are already three Peruvian restaurants in the U.S. and Acurio is still planning to open a new place in Washington soon. One of his high-end bistros, Astrid y Gaston, has also been recently included in San Pellegrino's "World's 50 Best Restaurants" list.