The eclectic chef

WHEN HE WAS BARELY 21 years old, Rafael Osterling was a budding politician when then president of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, dissolved the congress. The school where he was studying law was temporarily shut down, and his own father - who was part of congress - was arrested. In an abrupt turn, he decided to become a cook instead, and got a job at a local cevicheria the next day.

Even though he eventually completed his law degree, Chef Osterling never turned back from the culinary world. The 47-yearold now runs a number of restaurants - one in Colombia and four in Lima, including his eponymous flagship restaurant which is ranked 30th in the Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list.

Just last month, he visited Singapore to cook a few collaborative meals at the Spanish restaurant OLA Cocina Del Mar, alongside fellow Peruvian chef Daniel Chavez.