UK ambassadors tend to look ‘cool’. Since 2022, with a relaxed and fresh style, Gavin Cook He leads his embassy. “It’s to get closer to the country, to the people, to reduce distances,” he explains while we share a few bites of afternoon tea at The Gay Baker, one of his favorite places in Lima.
Before taking office, he spent time in Arequipa learning Spanish. COVID-19 still kept us double masked and keeping our distance. “I found a country with a lot of potential, with such intelligent, motivated people, but also with a sense of uncertainty about the future and many questions.” Gavin had to work to open Peru’s doors to the world, show its benefits again to attract the attention of tourism and investments. Along the way, it was inevitable for him to fall in love with this territory, its biodiversity and its people: “I admire Peruvians’ passion for supporting other people and being generous. The sense of community is something very rare. I also admire their hospitality. It is like a superpower for me. They are resilient and committed to making a difference. I have worked in many countries and I have never found a team as talented as the embassy team,” he tells us happily. They have been intense years where he lived through three presidential terms, with Pedro Castillo, Dina Boluarte and José Jerí, and historical events such as the death of Queen Isabel II and the accession to the throne of King Carlos III.
It takes a quick tour of the main actions managed in recent years, such as the promotion of the use of renewable energy, the fight against climate change and its permanent support for human rights. Technical assistance was provided to infrastructure projects, such as the construction of Bicentenario Schools, and the visa regime for Peruvian tourists to the United Kingdom was modified. He highlights an achievement of which he is very proud: “We promoted a project of great magnitude and social purpose, such as highly complex hospitals for regions, which will serve millions of Peruvians, and iconic hospitals like Yungay.” It refers to a new hospital built 52 years after one of the most devastating earthquakes in history.
The push for culture is also a scenario where we have seen it very active, from the Hay Festival Arequipa (a festival of British origin) to the musical promotion of artists such as Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Harry Styles and Dua Lipa. In fact, the ambassador published some photos on the social network X enjoying Dua’s concert in Lima. On the other hand, with intense promotion of the film “Paddington: Jungle Adventure” it sought to strengthen ties between Peruvians and the British, a union that began more than 200 years ago.
Ambassador of Peruvian cuisine
Gavin Cook says goodbye to the British Embassy, but we can name him ambassador of our gastronomy. He knows how to cook Peruvian style, prepare ceviche and toast with pisco. Cooking is so much a part of him that it is in his last name. “I love cooking for my family. The life of an ambassador makes it difficult to spend time at home and family is the center of my life. My mother is an incredible cook.”
/ British Embassy
On social networks we have seen him cooking in a sequence called Gavin Cooks, touring huariques in markets and supporting bread with chicharrón at the Ibai World Cup. He declares himself a fan of Peru for many reasons and one of them is the diversity and richness of the food. He lives in love with the chorrillano ceviche and the paiche chorizo from La Patarashca: “I love traditional and regional food with its differences. In Peru you can take a tour of huariques and find delicious bread with pejerrey and at the same time eat on a top scale in restaurants like Kjolle.” He tells us that, at one point, he called Virgilio Martínez to cook together in his Gavin Cooks sequence, but it didn’t happen due to the chef’s busy schedule.
Looking back, the ambassador will leave happy because he had the opportunity to call Peru his home: “I will return in the future, that has been my wish after crossing the Bridge of Sighs, in Barranco.” Surely destiny will fulfill it for him. //
Besides…
Actions in Peru
-During the management of the British ambassador in Peru, Gavin Cook, a cooperation agreement was signed with the Ministry of the Environment to carry out joint actions in favor of the sustainable development of the country and the conservation of our biodiversity.
-One of your purposes as ambassador has been to promote the historical ties between Peruvian and British culture, which began 202 years ago. Cook highlighted that the Huáscar monitor was built in the Liverpool shipyards.
-In November of this year, the British ambassador to Peru visited Pía León’s Kjolle restaurant with Duchess Sofía of Edinburgh. They also traveled to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
-Gavin Cook appeared on the television program “The Great Chef” to promote British gastronomy and the spectacled bear movie “Paddington: A Jungle Adventure.”
-His leadership stands out in the Human Rights Gender Roundtable (Mesagen) in conjunction with UN Women. In addition, its support for the Pride Connection Peru business network, with which it promoted the development of the Practical Guide for the Labor Inclusion of LGBT People together with the United Nations.