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Peruvian celebrity chef cooks a protected species of turtle: global outrage against Rodrigo Fernandini

by:
Sveva Valeria Castegnaro
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copertina Rodrigo Fernandini 2

An incident that raises a variety of questions about ethics and respect for protected wildlife in haute cuisine features Rodrigo Fernandini. At the center of the controversy is a video, in which the Peruvian chef, with a goliardic attitude, kills and cooks a South American yellow-footed turtle, an endangered species. The act sparked a harsh reaction from environmentalists and the public.

Cover photo: @Pexels


The News

Sometimes the eagerness to succeed can make big missteps. In the case of Rodrigo Fernandini , the “oversight,” if you can call it that, was truly glaring. Recently, the Peruvian chef-influencer, with more than two million followers on Tik Tok and owner of two restaurants in the United States, posted a video, gory to say the least, in which he prepares a dish of yellow-footed turtle. In the content posted on social - then immediately deleted due to the many reasonable controversies - Fernandini is seen holding a live turtle and then chopping it up with a machete and preparing a dark soup, thickened with banana puree and herbs, served in the previously seasoned and grilled carapace.

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Without batting an eyelid the chef, who boasts of celebrating “Taste of tradition, of the jungle of my beloved Peru”, tastes the dish and exclaims “buenazo, a closing claim now his trademark. Despite the fact that just a few months ago he was appointed ambassador of Brand Peru - a promotional program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Trade and Tourism - Fernandini really seems to have lost sight of ethics in favor of a handful of likes.

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@Pexels 

The yellow-footed turtle (Chelonoidis denticulata) is, in fact, considered a vulnerable species by theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature, an international organization that has been working to protect wildlife and natural resources for nearly eighty years. "I recognize that it was a mistake not to have investigated beforehand and I sincerely apologize for that...I reiterate that it was never my intention to promote the consumption of this species. I am committed to working side by side with experts and organizations to ensure that my future projects respect environmental regulations and promote sustainability,", he said a few days later, trying to justify his action, as reported by El País.

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The chef's apology and attempts to right the wrongdoing, however, do not seem to have convinced either the web or environmentalists. In a statement, Environmental News - a newsletter of the Peruvian Society of Environmental Law - pointed out that the underlying problem in Rodrigo Fernandini's video is wildlife trafficking, a crime punishable by imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of about 2.6 million euros. "The consumption and use of wild animals is allowed in native and/or riverine communities and is possible even if these species come from protected areas, communities and farms. If the above is not complied with, however, it is considered an illegal activity. Foods considered exotic also increase the risk of infectious diseases, known as zoonotic diseases,", highlights the statement.

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@Pexels 

The Peruvian Institute of Herpetology - a scientific NGO focused on the different species of amphibians and reptiles found in the country-was then keen to point out how the chef-influencer's gesture “Not only can be configured as an ethical and environmental transgression, but how it jeopardizes international and national efforts to conserve biodiversity”.

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Fernandini, who will soon be presenting an autobiographical book and a food festival, wanted to reiterate “his commitment to spreading the best of Peruvian culture, but with a renewed focus on respect for the environment”. Despite the recent statements, however, it should be remembered that the Peruvian chef is no stranger to such “slips”. He had already made a video last year where he and a fellow chef pretended to artificially suckle the corpse of a piglet. Even then he publicly apologized in a post, which read, “I want to tell you that my intention was not to mock or disrespect anyone. In my content besides teaching cooking, I want to entertain. I will be more sensitive next time. Don't be resentful". Apparently, however, a leopard can't change its spots!

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