7x7 and Sapporo held a private event to toast this year's winner of our annual search for San Francisco's next culinary superstar: Chef Diego Oka of La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, overlooking stunning bay vistas on San Francisco's lively Embarcadero.

Guests at the exclusive event included 7x7 voters who cast La Mar as the frontrunner in a fierce online contest earlier this year, as well as the restaurant's owners and VIPs, and special guests from the contest's presenting sponsor, Sapporo premium beer.

Chef Diego assembled a menu of La Mar's signature dishes—showcasing his flair for elevating traditional Peruvian food to haute cuisine—that was designed to pair very well with Sapporo. General manager Gabriele Originario and restaurant manager Fatima Zimic also arranged for some bubbles to be poured at the celebration.

The event also functioned as a working photo shoot to populate a spread in 7x7 magazine—the annual Hot Issue, to be published in October 2013! Keep a lookout on newsstands soon!

La Mar San Francisco, Pier 1.5 Embarcadero, San Francisco, 415-397-8880, lamarcebicheria.com

The Celebratory Menu from Chef Diego Oka of La Mar Cebicheria Peruana

Causa Limeña
Duo of whipped potatoes topped with Dungeness crab + rainbow greens

Cebiche cremoso
Scallops and mayo with leche de tiger and aji amarillo + chalaquita + bay scallops + 1 sea urchin + micro cilantro

Pulpo anticuchero
papa mortero + octopus + roasted peppers + olive aioli + micro cilantro

Chupe capuchinos
chupe reduction + milk foam + huacatay powder

Seco 
tamale pure + seco in cubes + chalaca sauce

Lucuma + chocolate
chocolate alfajor cookies + lucuma mousse + chocolate flan

Special thanks to Kristen Glenn and Matt Weadick of Sapporo; and to Rafael Hernandez, Susan Hwang, Jason Kenny, Martine Meyer, Ashela Richardson, Hank Surjadi, and Max van der Sterre of La Mar.

Photos: Nikki Ritcher Photography