There’s an unlikely person to thank for Aaron’s involvement in the food and drinks industry: his grandmother. From a young age, he followed her everywhere: going to the market, preparing meals for the family, and reading the books that she bought and brought home. She also pushed him to work and make money of his own accord. When he was 11, Aaron started bussing tables at a restaurant owned by a family friend in Camaná. Ever since, the creator of Carnaval bar knew that he wanted to dedicate his life to the industry. Over time, he honed his craft thanks to cooking and mixology classes, but perhaps the most influential elements involved discovering and meeting new people, cultures, and flavors from around the world. Aaron opened his bar less than two years ago, but it’s already earned recognition by the 2019 Summum awards as well as ranking thirteenth in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 edition. To date, it’s the only Peruvian bar to secure a spot on the prestigious list.

“I’ve spent a lot of time traveling, which has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, capturing language, wealth, and concepts. I’ve had the chance to visit many countries, even in Africa; I discovered new words, dishes, religions, everything. And what I’ve always done is then release that experience and learn through cocktails.”