The Bold Flavors of Peru in Paso Robles by Chef Nicola Allegretta

Chef Nicola Allegretta, chef and owner of Mistura Restaurant in Paso Robles, California; The Italian-born chef had spent years cooking in the Caribbean, Germany, France and Africa before making the beautiful Central Coast his home in 2002. Along with his wife, Jackeline, they are the proprietors of Haute Catering and Events, Mama’s Meatballs and Mistura, his homage to Peruvian cuisine.

A few years ago, he became enamored with the food of Peru, which draws upon a diverse array of influences including Incan, Spanish, African and Asian, after eating his mother-in-law’s home-style Peruvian cooking. Since then, Nicola and Jackeline had traveled extensively throughout Peru researching its regional cuisine before opening Mistura in 2014. The term Mistura condenses the essence of Peru, a reflection of their people and the country’s cuisine, a marvelous mix of cultures of invaluable heritage. Chef Nicola has captured the multicultural spirit of Peru in Paso Robles, blending its Native Pre-Columbian and Incas gastronomic heritage with the Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Japanese influences that embody the country’s vibrant cuisine alongside the vibrant bounty of Californian produce. Mistura and Nicola’s cooking is a true homage to the diversity of Peruvian food by introducing flavors that are once familiar yet adventurous and unexpected.

This year, as a testament to his understanding of the authentic and bold flavors of his adopted culinary inspiration, Nicola represented the Trade Commission of Peru in Los Angeles at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco and Aspen Food & Wine Classic.