Skip to Content

Why I’m Going Back to Peru

Cooking duck for the first time (2007)

Cooking duck for the first time (2007)

[E]arlier this year, I wrote about when dreams become reality, and how I've suddenly found myself without a new one to pursue.

Since then, I've been giving it a lot of thought, and realized that after successfully reaching my travel goals, maybe it's time to set my sights on a different hobby — cooking.

Smoked Duck Breast with Orange Ancho Chile Sauce

Smoked Duck Breast with Orange Ancho Chile Sauce

The truth is I don't cook much now that I'm always traveling, but I use to love it when I was back in the United States.

I could easily spend a whole day shopping, preparing, and then cooking a complicated recipe from the pages of Gourmet magazine.

Sometimes a photo alone would be all the inspiration I needed. Or an episode of No Reservations.

Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Peru

Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Peru

So with these thoughts in mind, I'm applying for admission to Le Cordon Bleu at their Lima, Peru campus. Located in Miraflores, it's a short walk from the apartment I was renting, as well as the beach.

Le Cordon Bleu is a well-regarded culinary school, with a long history of teaching young cooks. Famous alumni chefs include Julia Child, Giada De Laurentiis, and Peru's own Gaston Acurio.

It's not a decision I'm taking lightly. I'll have to pay my way through 3 years of courses to earn my diploma in Gastronomy & the Culinary Arts, but I'm up for the challenge.

Aside from the obvious benefit of developing a skill I can continue to use the rest of my life, it also opens up the opportunity for me to find work as a cook during my travels.

And who knows where that road could lead.

If you read this far, and believe I'm going to cooking school, Happy April Fool's Day!

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

jan

Monday 2nd of April 2012

You had me till the very last sentence. I did think it was a bit out there though!

Philip

Monday 2nd of April 2012

Dave--

Knowing your love of fine dining, you had me going. I was going to tell you how much you will learn there starting with the proper way to cut vegetables, blah blah blah. Good one buddy! btw, LCB traces its origins back 400 years. It was started and is still run by the Contreau (as in the liquor) family, now with campuses worldwide.

Dave

Tuesday 3rd of April 2012

I think Anthony Bourdain's "Kitchen Confidential" at once excited me about working as a cook, and scared me away from the idea of putting in the long, late hours required to work restaurants.

Kevin Post

Monday 2nd of April 2012

Dave is a rock star who doesn't have time to cook. He's rocking so hard all the time that he has to eat at delicious restaurants just to make up for the loss of calories each day from rocking out.

Jasmine

Sunday 1st of April 2012

Three years in one spot? Wow big move Dave!

Dave

Monday 2nd of April 2012

Nah Jasmine, just playing an April Fool's joke on you guys. Thanks for making me smile :)

Ayngelina

Sunday 1st of April 2012

I walked by that place and it crossed my mind too, albeit briefly. Good luck!

Comments are closed.