Honoring the Legacy of Teresa Izquierdo

Hello dear readers, this is Chef Abdul Malik, and I’m filled with joy to announce the return of the ìfęni blog. And what better way to celebrate this new chapter than by sharing the story of one of the most iconic cooks in Latin American culinary history.

Teresa Izquierdo – The Mother of Peruvian Cuisine

Today, we invite you to journey with us into the heart of Peruvian cuisine as we explore the legacy of Teresa Izquierdo and her legendary restaurant, Rincón Que No Conoces.

Today, we invite you to journey with us into the heart of Peruvian gastronomy as we explore the legacy of Teresa Izquierdo and her legendary restaurant El Rincón Que No Conoces.

Born in 1934 in Lima, Teresa grew up in a family where food was more than nourishment it was heritage, it was resistance. She learned the art of comida criolla from her mother, an exceptional cook, mastering a rich fusion of Indigenous, African, Spanish, and Asian culinary traditions that shape what we know today as Peruvian cuisine.

This June, as we celebrate Afro-Peruvian Culture Month, it is especially meaningful to honor women like Teresa, whose talent and dedication helped shape the flavors and cultural identity of Peru.

As a chef myself, Teresa Izquierdo has been one of my greatest inspirations. Her deep connection to ancestral flavors, her respect for tradition, and her ability to turn everyday ingredients into soulful experiences are part of what motivated me to study gastronomy and dedicate my work to ancestral cuisine. Teresa is more than a culinary figure she is a beacon for all of us who seek to honor our roots through food.

first location of El Rincón que no conoces

Teresa Izquierdo originally opened El Rincón Que No Conoces as a small tea salon and pastry shop in 1978 in a rented place. As demand for her food grew, the humble spot gradually transformed into a full restaurant serving traditional comida criolla. After years of dedication and success, in 1997, she was finally able to invest in a permanent location which remains the home of the restaurant to this day.

Own location of el Rincon que no conoces since 1997 where it remains to this day

We had the honor of speaking with Elena Santos, Teresa’s daughter. Since her mother’s passing in 2011, Elena has taken charge of El Rincón Que No Conoces, holding her legacy with care and vision. In our conversation, she shared how she’s kept the original recipes alive while slowly weaving in new perspectives that speak to today’s world.

Four years ago, Elena Santos decided to revitalize 'El Rincón Que No Conoces' with a series of renovations and innovations, while preserving the essence of Teresa Izquierdo’s legacy. She introduced a modern touch to the iconic restaurant without compromising its traditional soul.

El Rincon que no conoces Since May of 2025

The result has been an international phenomenon, attracting people from all over the world, including renowned chefs, celebrities and authorities.

The restaurant has become a cultural and gastronomic landmark in Lima, drawing both locals and visitors eager to experience authentic Peruvian cuisine.

The legacy of Teresa Izquierdo lives on through Elena's work, who continues to honor her mother’s traditions while also innovating and adapting the restaurant to the modern era.

If Teresa Izquierdo’s story moved you as much as it moved me, I invite you to keep following our journey through ancestral flavors across Latin America and the Caribbean. Here at ìfęni, we honor stories like hers — stories that connect people, food, and memory.

To learn more about El Rincón Que No Conoces, make your reservation follow them on Instagram: @rinconquenoconoces.

And if you’re interested in living an ancestral cuisine experience with Chef Abdul Malik, visit our website and book through the Reservations section.

Stay with us for more stories of chefs who preserve and innovate ancestral cuisine.