The latest edition of #50BestTalks, presented by Miele, will see five chefs from across Latin America discuss meat, vegetables and alternative proteins at a live event in Bogotá on Monday 29th October.
In a region that is home to some of the biggest meat-eating countries in the world, never has there been a greater consciousness about the effects of such consumption on both our health and that of the planet. Whether they are reassessing the sourcing of the meat and finding new and inventive ways to use every piece of the animal, or focusing entirely on plant-based produce, Latin America’s leading chefs are committed to changing the way they cook and consume.
At our latest #50BestTalks, 'Meat: The Future', three chefs from Argentina, Brazil and Mexico will talk about their approaches to protein, then two more cooks from Colombia and Argentina will join the line up for a live debate. Get to know the speakers here.
The speakers:
Jefferson Rueda, A Casa do Porco
At his buzzing São Paulo restaurant, A Casa do Porco, Jefferson Rueda famously cooks with one ingredient: pork. The innovative chef finds new ways to present the hog over a varied tasting menu, with everything from pork sushi to crispy chunks of crackling.
Jefferson Rueda and pork sushi (images: Mauro Holanda)
Narda Lepes, Narda Comedor
A champion of plant-based cuisine, Narda Lepes creates colourful dishes such as spicy avocado with halloumi cheese at her hit Buenos Aires restaurant, Narda Comedor. Her motto is: “Eat plants, drink water not juice, eat plants, eat seasonally, eat more plants. And wash your hands.”
Narda Lepes and avocado with halloumi (images: Eugenio Mazzinghi)
Édgar Nuñez, Sud777
Under his hashtag #CocinaVegetalMexicana (Mexican vegetable cuisine), Sud777 chef Édgar Nuñez cooks veg-led dishes such as aloe vera ceviche and squash blossom with cuiltlacoche and milpa sauce. He is also a fan of cooking with insects, and uses worm salt in a dish with nasturtium and tamarind.
Édgar Nuñez at Sud777; smoked beef and sweet potato
The panellists:
Leonor Espinosa, Leo
Latin America’s Best Female Chef 2017, Leonor Espinosa, is a flag-bearer for Colombian native produce, using local berries, ants, fruits and tubers throughout her dishes and juice pairings. The chef-owner of Leo in Bogotá is also founder of Funleo, a foundation that supports Colombian communities through food production. 
Leonor Espinosa; yoghurt, ants and native potatoes
Pablo Rivero, Don Julio
Argentina’s king of meat, Pablo Rivero, has been at Don Julio in Buenos Aires for almost two decades. As part of the restaurant’s commitment to sustainability, the son and grandson of beef producers ensures that every part of the cow is used, whether as steak on the plate, filling for juicy empanadas or as fat used in the bread-making process. At his traditional Argentine parrilla, absolutely nothing is wasted.
Pablo Rivero and raw ribeye
Watch #50BestTalks on livestream via Facebook on Monday 29th October from 10:30am Bogotá time or follow on Instagram, YouTube and Twitter for videos, news and interviews.
You can also see the playlists for last year’s #50BestTalks: United by Food in Bogotá; #50BestTalks: Voices for Change in San Francisco and #50BestTalks: Life Cycle in San Sebastian.
Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2018, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, will be revealed on Tuesday 30th October in Bogotá.
