FERRAN ADRIA, GASTON ACURIO AND TELEFONICA PRESENT “PERU SABE,” A DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASING PERU’S CULINARY REVOLUTION

• The documentary explores how a new recipe for social integration and human development is emerging in Peru though gastronomy
• U.S. premiere was held at the United Nations, and the film demonstrates the potential for this innovative approach to expand throughout Latin America and beyond
• Ferran, Gaston and Telefonica join as “Partners for Transformation”.

New York, June 12, 2012 – World-renowned chefs Ferran Adria and Gaston Acurio, in partnership with telecommunications company Telefonica, premiered their powerful documentary, “Peru Sabe: Cuisine as an agent of social change” at the United Nations in New York.

Gaston has recently joined with Telefonica and Ferran in an initiative called “Partners for Transformation” that promotes their shared commitment that innovation and technology can transform society. Over the course of the next four years, Gaston and Telefonica will promote diverse social integration projects in Peru using gastronomy and Information and Communications Technology, as well as helping to promote the Peruvian culinary revolution around the world. Additionally, the partnership will work to spread Telefonica’s existing social innovation projects — including Proniño, Wayra and Connect to Grow —throughout Latin America.

“Peru Sabe” is part of this recently announced collaboration. The documentary explores how a new recipe for social integration and human development is emerging in Peru thanks to the creativity and innovation of the country’s chefs.

“As a social phenomenon, Peruvian cuisine is unique in the world, but could be an example for other countries,” said Ferran Adria. “While traveling through different regions of Peru to make this film, I discovered the country’s incredible biodiversity and the innovative potential of its cuisine. This is helping to create a new social reality.”

Gaston Acurio added that “This documentary is the result of a beautiful journey through our nation, a living testimony to how Peruvian cuisine has introduced a recipe for the social and economic development of our country. But this is bigger than Peru: this phenomenon is expanding throughout Latin America, where cuisine is becoming one of the most important assets of the region.”

“Peru Sabe” showcases the stories and passion of Peru’s fishermen, farmers, chefs and aspiring chefs. Peruvian cuisine incorporates and transforms the natural biodiversity that is one of the country’s strengths as well as the rich cultural history of a country that spans the sea, coast, mountains and jungle. In the process of creating this new cuisine, Peru’s chefs have become important change agents as well as models for thousands of the country’s youth who now aspire to follow them into the kitchen.

“Ultimately, this film is about how food can unite and uplift a people and connect them, regardless of social background or economic status,” said Ferran.

The presentation of “Peru Sabe” is a collaboration among Ferran, Gaston and Telefonica that aims to encourage innovation and creativity. Both Gaston and Ferran are Telefonica Brand Ambassadors.

“Telefonica and these world-leading chefs share a vision that creative use of technology—in communications as much as in gastronomy — can transform lives and even societies,” stated José María Sanz-Magallon, CEO, Telefonica Internacional USA. “We are convinced that collaborative innovation is the key to a better future for our planet, which is why we are so excited about our work with Ferran and Gaston.”

The world premiere of “Peru Sabe” was held on June 8th in Lima, Peru. The President of Peru, Ollanta Humala, as well as thousands of culinary students, attended the opening, which included a presentation by Ferran Adria and Gaston Acurio. The documentary film, produced by Media Networks and Tensacalma, will be broadcast by Univision Networks in the United States and by Radio Televisión Española (RTVE) in Europe. For more information on the film please visit: www.perusabe.com.pe/en/

About Telefonica:
Telefonica is a world-leading integrated operator in the telecommunication sector, providing communication, information and entertainment solutions. As of March, 2012, the company served 309 million customers in 25 countries throughout Europe, Africa and Latin America.

Corporate responsibility is an integral part of Telefonica’s business model. The company aims to have a positive impact on economic, technological and social progress through its activities. In the process, Telefonica hopes to win the trust of its key interest groups, which will guarantee its own sustainability as a company.
www.telefonica.com

Ferran Adria
Acclaimed Chef Ferran Adria and his restaurant elBulli are responsible for the invention of many of the techniques and concepts of vanguard gastronomy. elBulli was awarded three Michelin stars, and Ferran has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time. He is the first chef to obtain a Doctorate Honoris Causa from the University of Barcelona in 2007, and subsequently from the Polytechnic University of Valencia in 2010 and the University of Aberdeen in 2008. Restaurant Magazine named elBulli the Best Restaurant in the World a record five times. Since 2010, he has collaborated with Harvard University as a guest lecturer, bringing together science and cuisine. Telefonica and Ferran have just announced the three projects that have reached the final of the ‘Ideas for Transformation’ competition, a challenge that was launched last October for students from the best business schools in the world to design the new Bullifoundation.

Gaston Acurio
Gaston Acurio is the chef and owner of 31 restaurants in 12 countries around the world, and is known as the Ambassador of Peruvian Cuisine. His restaurants include: Astrid&Gaston, Tanta, La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, Chicha, Panchita and Madam Tusan. In addition, Gaston has been instrumental in creating a culinary school in Lima, Peru that educates underprivileged students and helps place them in jobs following graduation. He is also part of the International Advisory Council of the Basque Culinary Center, founded by Ferran Adria, which hosts a popular weekly cooking show in Peru called Aventura Culinaria, and is active in the politics of sustainability.