Trekking along the mountain on your way to conquer Machu Picchu is a once in a lifetime experience. Which won’t be possible to be done without our staff. Our guides and porters make the trek possible and provide all the needed help but the real secret behind our motto ‘’the journey is the destination’’ is known well you are going to eat every day thanks to our trekking chefs.
Being a trekking chef for the Inca Trail or any adventure towards Machu Picchu is not easy at all. A trekking chef needs to carry all the needed gear for every day’s meals, set up the kitchen tent and start the process to provide the best dishes you can imagine.
All of the meals are cooked on the spot and follow the most detailed protocols to make the food both delicious and safe for be eaten. Our trekking chefs can cater to any dietary need or allergies without losing any of the flavor these meals will have. A great hot breakfast, a three course lunch and happy hour with diner to make everyday a treat. Hiking is better when knowing that the best food is waiting for you!
The trekking chefs for the Inca Trail and the many other treks to Machu Picchu are trained since they studied in gastronomy schools in Cusco. There are 2 ways to become a trekking chef and both of them are equally acceptable.
A lot of them study gastronomy, work in the different touristic restaurants Cusco has to offer and then make the jump to the Andes. The other way is by learning on the field. Every trekking chef has an assistant. Someone who will help with all the set up and serving the meals. Learning day by day until the moment he/she is ready to step up as a leading trekking chef. Both ways work and you can find a lot of success stories and joy of being able to work along the treks.
Our trekking chefs are a mix of the two ways. We have amazing chef who started as assistant chefs and even trekking chefs who became leading guides after studying.
Every time you hike the Inca Trail, you are supporting them and also living part of their history.