2026 Peru Dispatch Part II – The Potato Derivative

Manuel Choque

How much do we love Peru at Big Five?

In the past two months alone, two members of our team returned to Peru before I even made it home from this trip. As I write this, another colleague is still here, spending time with family in Chiclayo before setting off to explore some of the country’s more remote regions.

Peru is deeply woven into the fabric of Big Five. We first began operating here in 1989, when my father arrived for the first time. Every year I return, and every year I find myself reflecting on how much has changed. The political landscape has evolved countless times. Infrastructure has transformed. Yet through every challenge, Peru and its people have endured with remarkable resilience. Today, the country is once again evolving, and it remains as fascinating as ever.

This year, I returned alongside an incredible group of advisor partners, all of us sharing one objective: to get beyond the headlines and experience the real Peru. Of course, we would visit Machu Picchu. It is one of the world’s great wonders for a reason. But this year’s journey began with an unexpected twist. Before setting foot at the iconic citadel, we immersed ourselves in Peru’s agricultural heritage alongside my friend Manuel, a celebrated chef who has welcomed culinary icons such as Gordon Ramsay to his table. Manuel opens his home to us and tells the story of Peru through the gifts of the land, particularly one humble ingredient that helped shape civilizations: the potato. Now, I will admit, I am very selective when it comes to museums. The ones I enjoy most are the living museums, experiences that tell stories through people, food, and tradition. Manuel’s experience does exactly that. No two visits are ever the same, which is why our guests consistently leave inspired.

What makes the experience even more fascinating is how timely the story has become. Historians have increasingly studied the origins and spread of Peru’s diverse potato species as a way to better understand the reach and influence of the great civilizations that once flourished here. Imagine beginning a journey through Peru’s history not in a palace or archaeological site, but around a table, listening to stories while tasting the agricultural legacy of an empire.

What a way to start this year’s adventure.

Enjoy this dispatch and video, and stay tuned for Part III.

Today we leave the beaten path behind. Even I am not entirely sure what comes next, and honestly, that’s exactly what I love about Peru.