Waldir Maqque biography: the Andean cook who conquered TikTok

In the community of Viacha, more than 3,700 meters above sea level in the Cusco district of Pisac, a young gastronomy student began filming himself cooking with local produce. Today Waldir Maqque is one of Peru’s most followed food creators, with millions of followers who know him by his catchphrase, “qué riquito está” (“how delicious”). Here is his full story, updated to 2026: from gastronomy student to restaurant owner and book author.

Who is Waldir Maqque?

Waldir Maqque is a Peruvian YouTuber, chef and food content creator from the community of Viacha, in the district of Pisac, Calca province, Cusco. He is known for bringing Andean cuisine to TikTok and YouTube through his catchphrase “qué riquito está” and for owning a restaurant and themed hotel with the same name. In 2026 he remains active on social media and runs his business in Cusco.

Waldir Maqque: quick facts

Waldir Maqque: childhood and early years

Waldir Maqque Ccoyo grew up in Viacha, a community nearly 3,800 meters above sea level in the district of Pisac, Calca province, in the Cusco region. From childhood he was close to farming and traditional Andean cooking, an environment that would later shape his identity as a content creator.

He studied gastronomy and hospitality with the aim of becoming a professional chef. His first job in the trade was washing dishes at a local restaurant in Cusco, where he learned the basics of kitchen work. The 2020 pandemic changed his plans: unable to complete his training in the usual way, he followed his friends’ suggestion to share his cooking on TikTok and Instagram.

That first step, intended as something casual, became the beginning of a digital career that introduced the ingredients and techniques of the Peruvian highlands to a large audience.

Waldir Maqque’s career

Waldir Maqque built his career by showing how people cook in the highlands: with firewood, local ingredients and no electrical appliances. This approach, uncommon in digital food content, set him apart from other creators in the field.

Key milestones in his career:

• 2020-2021: begins posting food content on TikTok and Instagram during the pandemic.
• August 2021: shares one of his first viral Instagram videos, cooking alongside his llamas in Viacha.
• 2022-2023: builds his TikTok community, passing one million followers and gaining national and international attention.
• 2023: receives coverage in international media, including a feature by the Italian outlet Reporter Gourmet.
• 2023: receives a Lumini award for the year’s best food content.
• 2026: passes 2 million TikTok followers, according to Peruvian media reports.

His approach to cooking, summed up in phrases such as “cooking does not require appliances or luxuries, but adapting to the space you have,” resonated with viewers who value authenticity over the polished production of other food creators. It also opened the door to collaborations with international figures such as Colombian singer Camilo, with whom he prepared papa a la huancaína.

At Famosix, we highlight his role in promoting Andean cuisine: Waldir does more than cook. In each video, he also explains where ingredients come from and shares customs from his community.

Waldir Maqque’s featured projects

Waldir Maqque’s personal life

Waldir Maqque is in a relationship with fellow content creator Lizeth Atoccsa. They began appearing together publicly on social media in 2024. The couple has made TikTok content together and spoken openly about their relationship in interviews, although no marriage or children together have been publicly confirmed.

In December 2024, Lizeth Atoccsa spoke out on social media after criticism of a video filmed with Waldir in public without her consent. The episode illustrated the challenges of visibility faced by couples with large online audiences.

Interesting facts about Waldir Maqque

• One of his first viral videos shows him chewing hay beside a pair of llamas in Viacha.
• He started by washing dishes at a restaurant in Cusco before becoming a content creator.
• His restaurant “¡Qué riquito está!” also operates as a themed hotel in his home community.
• He published a book about his life and Andean cooking through the publisher Grijalbo.
• He cooks exclusively with firewood and local produce, without using modern electrical appliances.
• He has collaborated with international figures, including Colombian singer Camilo.
• He has been covered by international media, including the Italian outlet Reporter Gourmet.

Waldir Maqque in 2026

In 2026, Waldir Maqque continues to run his restaurant and themed hotel in Viacha while regularly making content for TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. According to Peruvian media reports, his TikTok audience exceeds 2 million followers.

In his personal life, he remains in a relationship with Lizeth Atoccsa, with whom he continues to share content. At Famosix, we follow his work as an important digital voice for Peruvian Andean cuisine; you can find more stories about Peruvian creators in our ranking of Peruvian YouTubers.

Conclusion

Waldir Maqque turned his gastronomy studies into a digital project that now brings Andean cooking to millions of people. From Viacha to screens around the world, his story shows how authenticity and cultural roots can support a lasting digital career. Discover more stories about Peruvian content creators on Famosix.

Sources consulted

• Infobae: Waldir Maqque’s path from gastronomy student to digital influencer
• Reporter Gourmet: Waldir Maqque, 4 million followers at 4,000 meters
• Infobae: Waldir Maqque and Lizeth Atoccsa, a love story that began on TikTok
• El Comercio: Waldir Maqque, the origin of “Qué riquito está” and his grandmother’s true legacy