Peru'sing the Menu: A Brief History of Ceviche

Ages: Recommended 18+ years

Time: 5.30pm - 7pm or 7pm - 8.30pm

In the first session of our Peru'sing the Menu series, journalist Caroline Baum discovers the amazing history of Peru's beloved national dish, ceviche, in an exclusive session with award-winning Executive Chef, Alejandro Saravia. Enjoy Pisco Sours and a light selection of canapés, designed by Alejandro himself, as he shares ceviche's pre-Hispanic origins and how centuries of cultural influences shaped its evolution from a simple raw fish and citrus dish to a uniquely delicate cuisine that was recently recognised by UNESCO as an expression of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Following the conversation, skip the queues for an exclusive tour of Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru from the Australian Museum's guest expert of Andean archaeology, Dr Jacob Bongers.

Book your tickets now to the first Peru'sing the Menu to enjoy a deep dive into a mouthwatering piece of Peruvian culture, and learn Alejandro's tried-and-tested techniques for re-creating this dish at home.

Credited with introducing Peruvian cuisine to Australia, Executive Chef Alejandro Saravia has been showcasing the flavours and traditions of Latin American cuisines in Australia since 2006. Originally from the gastronomic capital of Latin America - Lima, Peru - Alejandro has worked across Europe and Australia in some of the world’s leading restaurants.

In 2021, Alejandro opened the award-winning and hatted Farmer’s Daughters in Melbourne, showcasing farm-to-table produce from the region of Gippsland. In 2024, Alejandro opened Morena Sydney, representing a culmination of 15 years of his commitment to spotlighting cuisines from across Latin American cultures and providing Australians the opportunity to experience their unique traditions and flavours.

Dr Jacob L. Bongers is a Lecturer and Tutor at the University of Sydney. He holds a Ph.D. in archaeology from the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA. Bongers investigates how Indigenous communities respond to political and environmental change. His doctoral research examined how groups in southern Peru confronted successive waves of Inca and European rule through mortuary practices.

His current, multidisciplinary research leverages archaeological science and geospatial technology to advance understandings of past land-use strategies and how societies adapted to diverse environments through time. He has conducted archaeological fieldwork in Portugal, Chile, Ethiopia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, and Peru.

Caroline Baum is a leading journalist, podcaster, and author of Only: A Singular Memoir. In addition to hosting the podcast series Life Sentences, Caroline has served as a judge for prestigious literary awards, including the Stella Prize, the Premier’s Literary Awards, and the Walkleys. Passionate about the literary world, each November Caroline curates the True Story Festival at the South Coast Writers Centre in NSW.

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