From a young age, he found solace in the kitchen, but in accordance with his family's wishes, he studied law in Madrid while secretly enrolling at a catering college. Later, in Paris, he studied at Le Cordon Bleu, where he met Astrid Gutsche, a pastry chef who would become his wife and culinary partner.

In 1994, they opened their first restaurant together in Lima: Astrid & Gastón. Initially featuring a classic French menu, the restaurant gradually began to incorporate Peruvian dishes and produce. Gastón began exploring flavours unique to Peru, reflecting the country’s cultural diversity from the Andes to the Amazon. He created a menu based entirely on the country’s traditional cuisine, transforming his restaurant in the process.

Today, Gastón Acurio is at the helm of a culinary empire spanning twelve countries, and he is widely regarded as the foremost exponent of Peru’s thriving cuisine.