Café Rumba was founded by Marco Mellet and Antonio Diaz in March 2012. Both Marco and Antonio grew up in Lima, Peru.
Antonio learned most of what he knows about Peruvian cooking from his parents, who taught him their favorite dishes from their respective birthplaces (coastal Chiclayo, and mountainous Arequipa). He honed his skills at a variety of restaurants and catering establishments in Juneau, Alaska including the Baranof Hotel, Rainbow Foods, and Abby’s Kitchen. He moved to Bellingham in 2010 and cooked for the Copper Hog from 2010 to 2011.
About Peruvian Cuisine
Peruvian cuisine is among the most varied and best in the world. It’s a reflection of its three main geographical zones, the coast, the Andean highlands and the jungle, and an incorporation of influences from different times and immigrant cultures. While the Peruvian cuisine only is recognized internationally in the last few years, food and its preparation is one important part of the Peruvian culture and a very personal way to express the Peruvian identity.
Today the Peruvian cuisine combines Pre-Inca and Inca staples and food with the Spanish, Basque, African, Asian and French, Italian and British cuisine which immigrants brought with them; a unique fusion of the culture, traditions and flavors of four continents in which all parts coexist or melt in harmony and even enrich another. Next to foreign influences and ethnic diversity the Peruvian cuisine is also characterized by Peru’s unique climates and landscapes. Each region, each town has its own local cuisine and culinary treasures, depending on geography and climate that provide different ingredients native to each area.
A sandwich can be found around the world – but a sanguche (or sanguich, sanduche, sanduich) is typical Peruvian. No doubt, sanguches are an everyday, but loved part of the Peruvian gastronomy. Peruvians have a sandwich for breakfast, lunch or dinner, in between, before going out or at the end of a long night, actually any time. A Peruvian sandwich comes in countless shapes and flavors, seems to be deceptively simple, but always tastes of Peru.
The combination of crispy and juicy local ingredients with Peruvian salsas and flavors is just sensational and makes a Peruvian sandwich so special.