A typical Chilean Food Market in Washington, DC

On January 29, 2007, Chilean Ambassador Mariano Fernández hosted a culinary event showcasing different Chilean food products and wines. In a setting conceived as a Chilean Food Market (see picture), the invitees (importers, distributors, supermarket buyers, and food and wine critics) had the possibility to try the products, meeting at the same time with their producers and representatives as if they were in a real open market.

Following this display, the guests were invited to enjoy a dinner prepared by one of Chile’s top Chefs, Guillermo Rodríguez, and his Sous-Chef, Axel Manríquez. They highlighted Chilean natural flavors through Chile’s most traditional recipes.

At the event, products of the twenty four following Chilean companies were displayed: Olave, La Crianza, and San Pietro (olive oil); Tamaya Gourmet (carica); Montes, Haras de Pirque, Casa del Bosque, Falernia, Echeverría, and Ventisquero (wines); Aba and Mistral (pisco); Etnia (merquén),Guallarauco (eggfruit, carica, raspberries and cherimoya pulp); Frigorífico Simunovic (lamb); Carnes Ñuble (beef); Agrosuper (pork); Chevrita (cheese); Chilean Avocado Importers Association (avocado); Chilean Fresh Fruit Association (fresh fruits); Procomar (Chilean abalones, prawns, shrimps, sea urchins, and scallops); Delifish (smoked salmon); Sudmaris (mussels); Pesquera Torres del Paine (king crab).

In the last years, Chilean products have increased their participation in the US market, especially in organic and natural supermarket chains and gourmet stores. Special geographical conditions and sophisticated technologies, make the high quality, refined taste, and unique characteristics of the Chilean products recognized worldwide.

By 2010, Chile is expected to become the ninth food exporting country in the world.