by Marion Smith
The Embassy of the Republic of Peru in Pretoria hosted a warm and festive reception to celebrate Peru’s recent victory as the World Breakfast Champion, a title earned by the country’s beloved traditional dish, pan con chicharrón. The honour comes after Peru’s signature breakfast claimed the top spot in the viral “World Cup of Breakfasts”, a global online competition organised by Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos, where the dish secured roughly 12.8 million votes to narrowly defeat Venezuela’s arepa reina pepiada in the final.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Peru, H.E. José Javier Augusto Shaw, together with his spouse, Mrs Olga Zakharova, welcomed members of the diplomatic corps, friends of Peru and invited guests to their residence for the special occasion. The gathering highlighted not only Peru’s culinary triumph but also the country’s rich cultural heritage and renowned gastronomy.
At the heart of the celebration was pan con chicharrón, a hearty sandwich made with crispy fried pork belly, sweet potato slices and tangy red onion criolla sauce served in a fresh bread roll. The dish is a staple of Peruvian mornings and is especially popular as a traditional Sunday breakfast, often accompanied by hot coffee or tea.
In September 2025, pan con chicharrón was crowned the world’s best breakfast in the global online competition organised by Ibai Llanos. The viral contest featured traditional morning dishes from 16 countries and drew tens of millions of votes across social media platforms. Peru’s entry narrowly defeated Venezuela’s arepa in the final, securing its place at the top of the leaderboard.
The victory sparked celebrations across Peru, with communities gathering in public squares and markets to follow the results and share the iconic dish. The triumph was widely seen as another testament to the international prestige and diversity of Peruvian cuisine.
Speaking at the residence, Ambassador Shaw highlighted how food serves as a powerful bridge between cultures, bringing people together and offering a taste of a nation’s history and traditions. The event gave guests an opportunity to experience the champion breakfast firsthand, celebrating Peru’s culinary excellence and the spirit of international friendship.
The morning was a vibrant tribute to Peru’s gastronomic heritage, proof that sometimes diplomacy is best served on a plate.
