{"id":19882,"date":"2026-07-27T13:09:03","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T12:09:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/?p=19882"},"modified":"2026-07-27T15:25:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T14:25:02","slug":"alejandro-lima-nikkei","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/blog\/alejandro-lima-nikkei\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Lima Nikkei: How Alejandro Cerna is Bringing Peruvian-Japanese Cuisine to Brighton"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Nikkei is one of the most intriguing cuisines to land in Brighton: a century-old marriage of Japanese precision and Peruvian punch, born of migration and now finding a home on the seafront. At <a href=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/lima-nikkei\/\">Lima Nikkei<\/a>, head chef and co-founder Alejandro Cerna is building a kitchen around that dialogue, working with Sussex growers, seasonal produce and a menu that knows when to add and when to hold back. For operators watching a crowded market, it is a useful case study in genuine differentiation. We sat down with Alejandro to talk kitchen culture, sourcing, recruitment and what it takes to introduce an unfamiliar cuisine to a knowing city.<\/p>\n<h3>How would you describe Lima Nikkei and what makes it special?<\/h3>\n<p>Lima Nikkei is a celebration of the connection between Peru and Japan through food. Our aim is to create a dining experience where traditional techniques, bold flavours and cultural stories come together on every plate. What makes Lima Nikkei special is the balance between respect for Japanese precision and the energy, colour and creativity of Peruvian cuisine. Every dish has a story behind it, and we want our guests to feel that connection when they dine with us.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19898\" src=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.03-1-scaled-e1785153478440.jpeg\" alt=\"Table setting at Lima Nikkei , wooden table, chop sticks\" width=\"1924\" height=\"1335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.03-1-scaled-e1785153478440.jpeg 1924w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.03-1-scaled-e1785153478440-300x208.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.03-1-scaled-e1785153478440-1024x711.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.03-1-scaled-e1785153478440-768x533.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.03-1-scaled-e1785153478440-1536x1066.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.03-1-scaled-e1785153478440-1280x888.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.03-1-scaled-e1785153478440-1600x1110.jpeg 1600w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.03-1-scaled-e1785153478440-1920x1332.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1924px) 100vw, 1924px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Nikkei cuisine has such a rich history. How would you explain it to someone trying it for the first time?<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodandwine.com\/chefs\/nikkei-peruvian-japanese-food\">Nikkei cuisine<\/a> was born from the meeting of Japanese and Peruvian cultures, particularly through the Japanese community in Peru. It combines Japanese techniques such as careful preparation, seasonality and attention to detail with Peruvian ingredients, spices and flavours.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>For someone trying it for the first time, I would describe it as a cuisine that feels familiar but surprising \u2014 delicate in some moments, bold in others, and always full of character.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>Tell us about your journey into cooking. Where did Alejandro Cerna learn his trade?<\/h3>\n<blockquote><p>My journey into cooking has always been driven by curiosity, passion and a desire to understand different cultures through food.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>I have learned through experience, working with different techniques, ingredients and chefs along the way. Cooking is a continuous learning process, and every kitchen I have worked in has taught me something valuable about discipline, creativity and the importance of respecting the ingredients.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19900\" src=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.45.55-1.jpeg\" alt=\"The inside of Lima Nikkei . red restaurant interior \" width=\"2048\" height=\"1540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.45.55-1.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.45.55-1-300x226.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.45.55-1-1024x770.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.45.55-1-768x578.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.45.55-1-1536x1155.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.45.55-1-1280x963.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.45.55-1-1600x1203.jpeg 1600w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.45.55-1-1920x1444.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>What brought you and Carlos to Brighton, and why did this city feel like the right home for Lima Nikkei?<\/h3>\n<blockquote><p>Brighton felt like the perfect place because it has a strong sense of community and a genuine appreciation for independent restaurants and new culinary experiences.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The city is open-minded, creative and connected to great local producers. We felt that Lima Nikkei could become part of <a href=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/\">Brighton\u2019s food culture<\/a> while bringing something unique to our <a href=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/brighton-seafront-restaurants\/\">restaurant on Brighton seafront<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Running a restaurant with a co-founder is a real partnership. How did you and Carlos meet, and how do you divide the work between you?<\/h3>\n<p>Carlos and I share the same passion for <a href=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/brighton-hospitality\/\">hospitality<\/a>, quality and creating memorable experiences for guests. Building a restaurant together requires trust, communication and a shared vision. We each bring different strengths to the business, which allows us to support each other \u2014 from the creative side of the food and drinks to the daily operation and development of the restaurant.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19901\" src=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.16-4-1-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"Lima Nikkei including Fat Boy Slim \" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.16-4-1-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.16-4-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.16-4-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.16-4-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.16-4-1-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.16-4-1-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.16-4-1-1280x960.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.16-4-1-1600x1200.jpeg 1600w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-01-at-11.46.16-4-1-1920x1440.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Nikkei balances Japanese restraint with Peruvian boldness. How do you personally strike that balance in the kitchen?<\/h3>\n<p>The key is understanding when to add and when to remove. <a href=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/japanese-sushi-restaurants-brighton\/\">Japanese cuisine<\/a> teaches us about precision, simplicity and respecting the natural flavour of ingredients, while Peruvian cuisine brings vibrant flavours, acidity, spice and colour.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>In the kitchen, we try to find harmony between those two worlds rather than letting one overpower the other.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>If you had to choose one dish on the menu that best represents Lima Nikkei, what would it be?<\/h3>\n<p>I would choose a dish that represents the meeting point between Peru and Japan \u2014 something where technique, freshness and bold flavour come together. For me, the best representation of Lima Nikkei is a dish that surprises guests while still feeling balanced and elegant.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/img.restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ceviche-dish-at-LimaNikkei-1-scaled.jpeg?tr=w-1536,h-1231\" alt=\"Lima Nikkei dish - Brighton seafront \" width=\"1536\" height=\"1231\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>The Uy Mami cocktail, built around gin, shiitake and nori, sounds unlike anything else in Brighton. Where did that idea come from?<\/h3>\n<p>The idea came from wanting to create a cocktail that reflected our cuisine and our identity. We wanted to explore the umami flavours that are so important in Japanese cooking and combine them with a modern cocktail approach. Shiitake and nori bring depth and complexity, while the gin creates a clean base that allows those flavours to shine.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/img.restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/cocktail-time-LimaNikkei-scaled.jpeg?tr=w-1536,h-1161\" alt=\"Cocktail at Lima Nikkei\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1161\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Sustainability is clearly important at Lima Nikkei. From working with suppliers along the Sussex coast to recycling your menus into new ones, can you tell us a little about the practices that matter most to you?<\/h3>\n<p>Sustainability is about making thoughtful decisions every day. We believe in working closely with <a href=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/sussex-food\/\">local Sussex suppliers<\/a>, respecting seasonal produce and reducing waste wherever possible. Small actions, such as finding creative ways to reuse materials and choosing responsible suppliers, are important because they reflect our values as a restaurant.<\/p>\n<h3>Which Sussex ingredient has surprised you most since working here, and how has it found its way onto the menu?<\/h3>\n<p>The quality and variety of Sussex produce has been a wonderful surprise. The local seafood, vegetables and seasonal ingredients offer incredible opportunities to create dishes that reflect both our Nikkei identity and the character of the region.<\/p>\n<h3>Away from Lima Nikkei, do you have a favourite Peruvian restaurant, whether in Brighton, London or further afield?<\/h3>\n<p>I always enjoy discovering restaurants that respect their ingredients and tell a story through their food. There are many talented chefs bringing Peruvian cuisine to different parts of the world, and I appreciate any place that celebrates the culture and traditions behind the cuisine.<\/p>\n<h3>Pisco is central to your drinks list. What is your own favourite pisco cocktail, and why?<\/h3>\n<p>The Pisco Sour is a classic for a reason. It represents Peru beautifully \u2014 it is fresh, balanced and combines simplicity with great technique. It is a cocktail that connects tradition with celebration.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/img.restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Interior-of-LimaNikkei-scaled.jpeg?tr=w-1536,h-1102\" alt=\"the wall furniture Lima Nikkei \" width=\"1536\" height=\"1102\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>What has surprised you most about Brighton\u2019s food culture since opening on the seafront?<\/h3>\n<p>What has impressed me most is how curious and supportive Brighton\u2019s diners are. People here appreciate creativity and quality, and they are willing to explore different cuisines and experiences. That makes it an exciting city to be part of.<\/p>\n<h3>When you get a rare evening off, where do you head in Brighton and Hove?<\/h3>\n<p>I enjoy discovering different places around Brighton and Hove, whether it is a great restaurant, a relaxed caf\u00e9 or somewhere by the sea. I think spending time experiencing other people\u2019s hospitality is also a way of continuing to learn.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13000\" src=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Brighton-seafront-for-sea-swimming-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"The pebbles, the pier, the sea on Brighton seafront. Very blue sky\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Brighton-seafront-for-sea-swimming-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Brighton-seafront-for-sea-swimming-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Brighton-seafront-for-sea-swimming-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Brighton-seafront-for-sea-swimming-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Brighton-seafront-for-sea-swimming-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Brighton-seafront-for-sea-swimming-1280x853.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Brighton-seafront-for-sea-swimming-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Brighton-seafront-for-sea-swimming-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Finally, what is next for Lima Nikkei?<\/h3>\n<p>We are always looking for ways to evolve while staying true to our identity.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>We will continue developing new seasonal dishes, exploring local ingredients and creating experiences that bring our guests closer to the flavours and culture behind Nikkei cuisine.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The journey has only just begun, and we are excited about what comes next.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-19919 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LIma-Nikkei-Dining-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Chef Alejandro Cerna among his team at Lima Nikkei\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LIma-Nikkei-Dining-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LIma-Nikkei-Dining-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LIma-Nikkei-Dining-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LIma-Nikkei-Dining-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LIma-Nikkei-Dining-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LIma-Nikkei-Dining-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LIma-Nikkei-Dining-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LIma-Nikkei-Dining-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LIma-Nikkei-Dining-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nikkei is one of the most intriguing cuisines to reach Brighton: a century-old marriage of Japanese precision and Peruvian punch. At Lima Nikkei on the seafront, head chef and co-founder Alejandro is building a kitchen around that dialogue. We talk sourcing, kitchen culture, recruitment and what it takes to introduce an unfamiliar cuisine to a knowing city.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":19919,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2526],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19882","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interviews"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Lima Nikkei Brighton: Chef Alejandro Cerna Interview<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Head chef Alejandro Cerna on launching Lima Nikkei in Brighton, blending Peruvian and Japanese cuisine and building a kitchen team.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/blog\/alejandro-lima-nikkei\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lima Nikkei Brighton: Chef Alejandro Interview\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Head chef Alejandro Cerna on launching Lima Nikkei in Brighton, blending Peruvian and Japanese cuisine and building a kitchen team.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/blog\/alejandro-lima-nikkei\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Restaurants Brighton Jobs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RestaurantsBrightonJobs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-27T12:09:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-27T14:25:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta 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