The state authorities approved on June 11 the bill of “celebration of the weekend of Peruvian gastronomy throughout the state of New York”, scheduled for August 23 and 24, 2025. This initiative was presented by the Assemblyman of District number 6, Phil Ramos, who is vice president of the State Assembly (Deputy Speaker New York State Assembly).
This event, which includes the renowned Sumaq festival, highlights the importance of Peruvian cuisine through various culinary and cultural activities. The Festival, recognized by the New York State Assembly, seeks to promote and disseminate Peruvian culture through its rich culinary tradition.
According to Vicky Díaz, founder of Sumaq with her husband William, Assemblyman Ramos was delighted with the Peruvian season after being invited to her festival. It was then that he proposed this project, which was finally approved by 4th. year.
On this occasion, the Peruvian Johan Pictures was chosen “chef of the year 2025” of Sumaq. Pictures, whose motto is “cooking with the heart,” was born in the city of Chosica, known as La Villa del Sol, in Lima, Peru.
His culinary learning is based on his own experience. He has been part of the Olive Garden restaurant chain in the United States where he had the opportunity to collaborate in the opening of 16 restaurants.
He also worked with Peruvian chef Miguel Aguilar in his restaurant «Surfish Peruano Bistro», located in Brooklyn. Currently, he works as Sous Chef at the restaurant “Norte 175”, in Wharton, New Jersey.
Johan Pictures is defined as a highly creative and dedicated chef, with 25 years of experience in culinary arts and 7 years as a chef.
«My experience in Peruvian and international food has provided me with a solid base in cooking techniques both classic and modern. I am sure that my skills, added to my excellent commitment, have made me a great representative of the delicious and varied gastronomy of Peru, ”he says.
It should be noted that “Sumaq Peruvian Food Festival”, was founded in 2011 by William and Vicky Díaz with the primary objective of continuing to promote Peruvian culinary art to other people of the different nationalities living in New York, in the tri-state area and in the United States.
For 11 years during a weekend of August, the Sumaq festival is held with the purpose of contributing in the dissemination of the rich and diverse Peruvian cuisine abroad.
The “Sumuq Peruvian Food Festival” delegation that went to the Albany Capitol was made up of:
– Oswaldo del Águila, Consul General of Peru in New York,
– Jorge Izaguirre, attached general consul of the Consulate of Peru in New York,
– William and Vicky Díaz, founders of “Sumaq Peruvian Food Festival”, of the newspaper News and of the Hispano -American Foundation,
– Díaz Díaz, Sumaq PFF Assistant
– Johan Cuadros, chef of the year 2025 of “Sumq Peruvian Fod Festival”
– Bianca Hernández, Kitchen Assistant
– Oscar Correa, Kitchen Assistant
Also, Vilma Guide of the Los Andes restaurant in Long Island and Kevin Segura de State Farm in Central Islip, both Ambassadors of Sumq 2025 (who unfortunately could not attend), thanks to them the “chef of the year of sumq pff 2025” Johan Pictures presented a tasting of the rich Peruvian food in the Capitol of Albany, just like the pastry chef Julia Rebatta.
This year’s Sumaq festival ambassadors also made it possible to deliver monetary recognition to chef.
