Hail to the Chef

Has the cult of the celebrity chef finally gone too far? In a poll of Peru's likely voters conducted in mid-February, 23% said they would pick Gastón Acurio to become President in elections scheduled for 2016. His restaurant in Lima — Astrid y Gastón — is No. 14 on San Pellegrino's list of the 50 best restaurants, an annual ranking much obsessed over by foodies around the world. Peruvians appear to be even madder about Acurio. Some who spot him as they drive by greet him with the shout, "Gastón, Presidente !"

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