Borderless Cuisine

The F Word

The face of fusion has changed, and borderless cuisine defines the new normal. Many iconic foods have resulted from the convergence of cuisines, such as bánh mì (Vietnamese and French) and vindaloo (Portuguese and Goan), but the most important component behind these dishes is the rich history from which they arose.

Chef Alvaro Lima, Senior Corporate Chef at Unilever Food Solutions, North America, is a passionate advocate for borderless cuisine. He sees it as an opportunity to creatively and thoughtfully merge cuisines, combining traditional ingredients and techniques in ways that respect their origins.

This approach paves the way for more refined and cultivated dining experiences, offering not only bold flavours but also a deep sense of authenticity and cultural significance.

The Role of the Chef

Chefs play a crucial role in the success of borderless cuisine. They must have a deep understanding of different culinary traditions and be able to identify the points of commonality that allow for seamless fusion. They must also be willing to experiment and step out of their comfort zone, trying new combinations and techniques to create dishes that are both surprising and harmonious.

Chefs and Diners in Harmony

Borderless cuisine offers several benefits for chefs and diners. For chefs, it provides an opportunity to showcase their creativity and expertise, as well as to share their own cultural heritage with the world. For diners, it offers a chance to experience new and exciting flavours, as well as to learn about different cultures through food.

The Future of Borderless Cuisine

Borderless cuisine is a trend that is here to stay. We can expect to see even more exciting and innovative dishes that blend culinary traditions from around the globe as chefs push the boundaries of flavour and creativity.

Cooking Beyond Borders

Chef Santiago Lastra, renowned for his innovative approach to Mexican cuisine, is leading a new culinary movement that dissolves borders and rewrites tradition. At KOL, his acclaimed restaurant in London, he reimagines the vibrant flavours of Mexico using exclusively British ingredients.

The Essence of Borderless Cuisine

Taking inspiration from his travels and experiences, Chef Santiago combines the flavours and techniques of different cultures to create dishes that are both familiar and surprising. This approach challenges the traditional notion of what defines a particular cuisine, opening a world of possibilities for culinary creativity.

Building a New Culinary Tradition

Santiago Lastra's journey to borderless cuisine began with a desire to explore the culinary traditions of other cultures. After leaving his native Mexico, he spent years working in top restaurants around the world, learning new techniques and experimenting with different flavours. It was during his time at the Nordic Food Lab in Copenhagen that he realised the potential of using local ingredients to recreate the flavours of his homeland.

The Secret Behind the Cuisine

A meticulous understanding of flavour is essential to the success of Chef Santiago’s mission to represent his country’s cuisine in a fresh and creative way. Each dish tells a story of place and tradition, while also embracing innovation.

“At KOL, we’re building a culinary language and a way of working that, someday, could become tradition. Hopefully our process will become an easier and more natural thing to do.”