Chef profile: Marcelo Peláez, head pastry chef at Mareida

Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m Marcelo, head pastry chef of Mareida, a new exciting restaurant inspired by the flavours of the andean south, with a focus in Chile. I joined the project after spending 10 years working in the best restaurants in Chile and also being part of the Chilean team for the Pastry World Cup.

What’s your favourite thing about where you work?
By far my favourite thing is being able to show part of my culture in such an important city as London. As well all the attention to detail put in every part of the restaurant.

What was your first job in catering?
My first job was in 99 Restaurant, in Chile.

What do you do to relax?
I like to go to the gym, walk, or whatever that keep me in movement. And I love music, so usually i combine both.

Which is your favourite restaurant?
In London, Silo, I loved every moment of the experience – I’m trying to go back before they close.

In Chile, I had two: La Mesa, lovely place where I work for two years, delicious food and incredible memories. And the other one is YumCha, a restaurant that mix chinese flavours with chilean products, focus in fish, seafood and vegetables, one of the best meals that i ever had.

What is your favourite drink?
I love fizzy drinks, so maybe a ginger beer or a kombucha. And coffee, always.

What is your favourite food/cuisine?
I’m really into Asian cuisine, tasty, simple and spicy. And in pastry, French, the quality is amazing.

Which ingredient do you hate the most?
Hate is a strong word, but I don’t like to use any frozen fruit puree.

Are there any foods/ingredients that you refuse to cook with? If so, why?

Bad chocolate, because what is the point?

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

That pressure is a privilege that I have to enjoy, because it means that someone expects something from you

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?
My fiancée and my family, without a doubt

If you had not gone into catering, where do you think you would be now? 

Probably a traumatologist because I always was linked to sports growing up.

Describe your ultimate nightmare?
Messy kitchen, messy house, messy head

Tell us a secret...
I hate spiders! 

What irritates you most about the industry?
The people that underestimate the work of others, and a lack of respect between colleagues.

Who would play “you” in a film about your life?
Has to be a Latino hahaha maybe Oscar Isaac or Pedro Pascal.

What is your favourite prepared product?
Yuzu ponzu, I tried recently and I’m putting it on everything lately!

Who would be in your “fantasy” brigade?

Alejandra Carrasco – Sour/Kitchen Club, Santiago, Chile 

Diego Castillo – Toni Lautaro, Santiago, Chile
Ariel Millaman – Oil, Tokyo, Japan
Nikolas Ibacache – Lover Cafe, Santiago, Chile