Medellin, Colombia’s second largest city, is currently holding the food festival “Medellin Gourmet” – a celebration of good restaurants within the city.The event, which will takes place from September 1 – 30, encourages people to go and eat in any one of the participating restaurants that are situated all over Medellin.
The idea behind the festival is simple enough; each guest can arrive at any of the given restaurants and order from a set menu that highlights the chefs skills.
The festival has been organised in part by Medellin Gourmet in partnership with the Miami Culinary Institute, with the express aim of assisting restaurants andyoung talent in Medellin by allowing them to show off their skills.
Carlos Hernan Estrada, part-owner of three venues Herbario, Bonuar and Melody Lounge told Colombia Reports that the event was a “showcase of cooking that exhibits nouveau cuisine with Colombian ingredients and flavors.”
He added that the festival was “very important because it shows that there is a real movement within Medellin’s food industry” and that “it highlights the workings and flavors of traditional Colombian food, which is presented and aesthetisized in a new, modern, way.”
Restuarant goers can choose between visiting a regular restaurant or something more upmarket, although the price is incredibly reasonable for either options. A “regular” will cost $19 per person and the more expensive “luxury” option will cost $29 per person.
While drinks are not included, each option does include a starter, main meal and dessert.
With this in mind, checking out Peruvian “Earth Fusion” – one of the regular options – was a must. A huge starter of chicherron with a fresh coriander salad was delicious, with the acidity of the salad cutting nicely through the fatty pork.
The main meal of fish stuffed with seafood was also good, with yam fries making a pleasant subsitution for normal potato. Finally, a dessert of chocolate fondent with vanilla icecream and a fruit puree was indulgent to every last mouthful, although perhaps not altogether that Colombian.
Sources
- Medellin Gourmet
- Interview with Carlos Hernan Estrada
- Press release