Chocolates Chuncho – Central Restaurant

Central, the Lima-based restaurant crowned the world’s best by 50 Best in 2023, not only celebrates Peru’s biodiversity through its cuisine but also explores it through Mater Iniciativa, its gastronomic research laboratory. From this journey, a chocolate was born—crafted from Cacao Chuncho, one of Peru’s finest and most authentic cacao varieties, grown in Cusco. With the product’s quality assured, the challenge was to design packaging that would honour its story and position it for the global market.

The concept had to go beyond the conventional. Just as Central follows the philosophy of altitudinal levels, where each ingredient reflects its environment, the packaging design needed to pay tribute to where it all begins: the earth. This led to a proposal where the texture of Peruvian soil takes centre stage. Black-and-white photographs capture the richness of the terrain that nurtures Cacao Chuncho, resulting in a subtle yet striking composition that breaks away from traditional chocolate packaging.

Elegant typography and soft, muted colours complete the aesthetic, reinforcing the product’s sophistication while preserving its authenticity. More than just packaging, this design is a visual homage to the origins of cacao, bridging Peru’s rich chocolate-making heritage with Central’s spirit of innovation.

The result was recognised with a bronze at the 2024 LAD Awards, affirming its impact on both design and storytelling. A chocolate that is not only tasted but told through its essence.