Six of the world’s best Mexican chefs have told how their native cuisine is “not just tacos and enchiladas” as they introduced Londoners to fine dining with a tasting menu.
They were flown over to cook a course each for more than 100 people, including celebrities and leading industry figures, at the Savoy Hotel.
With the Peruvian restaurant Lima winning a Michelin star two years ago, it is hoped that Mexican cuisine could enjoy the same popularity.
The Dual Mexico United Kingdom Year, launched in 2014 by President Enrique Peña Nieto and the Prince of Wales, aims to promote understanding between the countries and will include food festivals in Britain and Mexico.
Dishes at the lunch on Tuesday included pigs trotter escabeche with Jerusalem artichokes and Manzana chillies, Squachile wild mushrooms and lobster cooked Baja style in a light citrus sauce. The dessert, by renowned chef Enrique Olvera, was meringue made with the powder of corn husk leaves served with cream, corn puree and mascarpone.
Mr Olvera, 39, whose restaurant Pujol in Mexico City is named among the top 50 in the world, said: “I’ve been [to London] many times and every time I love it. In general Mexican is now received as a more serious cuisine.”
The lunch was attended by Mexico’s minister of tourism, Claudia Ruiz Massieu, presenter Donna Air, singer Pixie Lott, Downton Abbey’s Julian Ovenden and new Bond villain Andrew Scott.
Among the top chefs was Alfredo Villanueva, 44, of Romero Y Azahar in Monterrey, who was visiting London for the first time. He said: “Mexican cooks are starting to blend different techniques. People are starting to see a different side, that it is not just tacos and enchiladas.”
Pablo Salas, 34, a chef at Amaranta in Toluca, near Mexico City, said: “We’re more than corn, chilli and olives. Every time I go to little towns to do research I find new things.”
