“25 Best Chefs in Costa Rica” Debuts with the Best of the Country’s Culinary Scene ⋆ The Costa Rica News

Thanks to its culinary richness, the diversity of its ingredients, and a new generation of passionate chefs, Costa Rica hosted an evening celebrating gastronomic innovation as part of the first edition of 25 Best Chefs Costa Rica, an internationally distributed publication featuring biographies and recipes from its featured chefs.

The book highlights 25 chefs who, through diverse approaches, reinterpret the country’s flavors, ingredients, and traditions, offering a contemporary perspective on Costa Rican cuisine.

Peter Marshall, the project’s food editor and photographer, explains that the selection goes beyond awards or recognitions such as Michelin stars. The criteria also highlight emerging chefs who, although just starting their careers, already demonstrate significant potential through their cuisine.

“I wanted to step away from European cuisine to explore new flavors. Thanks to my friend and American chef Demian Geneau, who lives in Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to discover the country’s cuisine, visit its restaurants, and get to know its talent firsthand. It’s a refreshing experience,” he said.

Geneau, who actively collaborated on the project, explains that the result is a selection that brings together both established chefs and new talents, reflecting the evolution currently taking place in Costa Rican gastronomy. “For the participating chefs, being part of this edition also represents an opportunity to highlight the richness of the country’s cuisine, the potential of its ingredients, and the stories behind each dish,” he noted.

Several factors were also taken into account for the selection, such as: the chefs’ commitment to sustainability, those who champion the dishes and ingredients of their own region, as well as their support for the industry and the training of the next generation of great culinary talents.

Their culinary skill also played an important role, but the goal in considering other criteria was to offer a unique, comprehensive, and authentic vision of Costa Rican gastronomy.

“We hope these recipes will offer a glimpse into the mindset and cooking styles of some of the great chefs who live and work in Costa Rica. As a company with 25 years of publishing experience, we can honestly say that this is undoubtedly one of our most exciting editions to date, following those already published in Ukraine, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, and the Basque Country, with editions coming soon in Chile and Peru,” adds Marshall.

The launch of this edition was supported by Café Britt, a gourmet coffee brand committed to advancing the country’s gastronomy and promoting a high-standard culinary culture. Through its close ties with chefs, restaurants, and the gastronomic industry, the company has helped strengthen initiatives that seek to position Costa Rica not only as a natural destination but also as a culinary benchmark. Délika Gourmet also joined this initiative, supporting the celebration of the country’s culinary creativity and talent.

Gabriela Muñoz, general manager of Café Britt, explains that “Costa Rican cuisine is undergoing a significant evolution. At Café Britt, we have sought to be part of this development, working closely with strategic partners to promote a high-level culinary culture in the country. Initiatives like 25 Best Chefs Costa Rica help highlight the talent that is transforming the national cuisine and position Costa Rica as a growing gastronomic destination.”

“This event undoubtedly embodies Café Britt’s values; it aligns closely with our strategy and showcases a Costa Rican experience. We want Costa Rica to be recognized as a culinary destination. For example, our coffee is present in all sectors, and we want to show tourists what represents us. This 25 Best Chefs initiative will serve as a showcase for our talent in both gastronomy and coffee-based cocktails. Additionally, the books will be available for purchase at Morpho stores in the airport, as well as in shopping malls, to demonstrate that Costa Rica offers the best in coffee and gastronomy.”

In this way, 25 Best Chefs Costa Rica serves as a window that showcases the country’s culinary talent to new audiences and documents a pivotal moment for Costa Rican cuisine, where tradition, local ingredients, and creativity come together to tell the story of a gastronomy that continues to evolve.

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