SUMMERVILLE, SC -- September is National Chicken Month and this week kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month through October 15th, making VIVA Chicken in Summerville's Nexton Square the perfect place to celebrate! Since Chef Bruno Macchiavello opened VIVA Chicken's first location, he has been on a mission to bring Peruvian Street Food to life in the Carolinas and beyond.
3 Things To Know About the Peruvian Street Food That Inspires VIVA's menu:
3. Peruvian Food is More Than Ceviche
When most people think of Peruvian food, they think of ceviche, a seafood dish influenced heavily by a wave of Japanese over 100 years ago. Many people may not realize that other food found on the streets of Peru consist of an eclectic mix of recipes and spices from a variety of cultures blended to pack a flavorful punch.
2. Street food markets are a big part of Peru's vibrant and eclectic culture.
Peru's cuisine has been uniquely influenced by its past. The diversity of its street food is the result of Spanish, Incan, Asian, Arab, African, and various indigenous influences that have all played a part in the country's history.
1. Street food vendors have been serving their specialties through generations, making the family recipe a point of pride that's cultural.
VIVA Chicken's menu is inspired by family recipes with roots in the street food culture, its star being VIVA's Pollo a la Brasa - the hottest, freshest chicken and a staple of Peruvian street food. VIVA also sources its Aji Amarillo peppers, Peruvian black mint and Rocoto peppers from a family-owned farm in Peru which Chef Bruno, a Peruvian native, often visits, checking in with the farmers and the peppers that supply flavors VIVA fans love.
When asked what makes Peruvian cuisine so special, Chef Bruno says “it’s the mix of cultures; in the 70s it became a melting pot and the diverse culture is really what makes the culture and the people so rich.” This shows up in the food, both on the streets of Peru and at your local VIVA Chicken.
VIVA Chicken is located at 506 Nexton Square Drive, Suite 103, in Summerville.
