For the first time in the Middle East, the capital of the United Arab Emirates hosted the 8th edition of THE BEST CHEF AWARDS on November 6, 2024, where 550 chefs from 61 countries were honored, making it the largest edition to date and a testament to Dubai’s growing status as a culinary capital.
The ceremony was held at one of Dubai’s most beautiful hotels, Atlantis, The Palm, with the support of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Founded with the vision of celebrating and inspiring culinary talent worldwide, THE BEST CHEF serves as a pivotal platform for food enthusiasts to exchange knowledge, discuss current topics, and foster a community passionate about gastronomy.
This year’s best of the best acclaimed three renowned chefs whose innovative contributions have redefined modern gastronomy:
1ST PLACE: Rasmus Munk – Alchemist, Denmark
Famed for his avant-garde approach, Munk’s work at Alchemist melds theatrical elements with culinary innovation, offering an immersive experience that has elevated him to global acclaim.
2ND PLACE: Albert Adrià – Enigma, Spain
An icon of culinary experimentation, Adrià continues to break boundaries at Enigma, where his work combines storytelling with innovative technique, solidifying his influence in the industry.
3RD PLACE: Eric Vildgaard – Jordnær, Denmark
Renowned for his commitment to sustainability and purity, Vildgaard’s creations at Jordnær are a testament to the artistry of local Nordic ingredients, making his work resonant on a global scale.
The ceremony also named recipients of special awards for outstanding contributions in various fields:
- The Best (R) Evolution: Albert Adrià, Enigma (Spain)
- The Best Chef Pastry Award: René Frank, Coda (Germany)
- The Best New Entry Award: Mei Kogo, Sushi Meino (Japan)
- The Best Terroir Award: Jaime Rodríguez, Celele (Colombia)
- The Best Science Award: Ángel León, Aponiente (Spain)
- The Best Food Art Award: Julien Royer, Odette (Singapore)
- The Best NextGen Award: Michele Lazzarini, Contrada Bricconi(Italy)
- The Best Dining Experience Award: Vaughan Mabee, Amisfield(New Zealand)
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- The Best Creativity Award: Paco Méndez, COME (Spain)
- The Best Dubai Award: Himanshu Saini, Trèsind Studio (UAE)
- The Best Voted by Professionals Award: Ana Roš, Hiša Franko (Slovenia)
- The Best Origins & Future Award: (1) Eva, Lilian, Emilie Rihani, Three by Eva (UAE) (2) Mohamad, Wassim, Omar Orfali, Orfali Bros (UAE)
Breaking away from traditional rankings, THE BEST CHEF AWARDS introduced the Knife, a tiered recognition system designed to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive view of culinary excellence. This system honors chefs based on influence and skill in three categories:
- Three Knives (The Best): Celebrating the highest tier of culinary mastery, awarded to 97 chefs who achieved 80% or more of the maximum points.
- Two Knives (World-Class): Acknowledging 177 chefs who reached 40% or more, representing world-class expertise.
- One Knife (Excellent): Recognising 276 chefs who attained 20% or more, underscoring their notable contributions to the field.
For the complete list of The Best Chef Awards 2024 winners and honourees, please visit thebestchefawards.com
The awards ceremony was the end of three days of exciting meetings and events including Area Talk panel, the Food Meets Science conference and exclusive culinary experiments.
Drawing over 3,000 attendees, the 2024 edition created a vibrant platform for chefs, industry leaders, and culinary enthusiasts from around the globe to connect, collaborate, and inspire.
An immersive dining experience took place during 2 days at Arrazuna, One&Only One Za’abeel, featured the region’s leading chefs showcasing the depth and diversity of Middle Eastern culinary expertise in a remarkable gastronomic exploration of the region’s cuisine and traditions.
Dubai’s haute cuisine was highly commended at THE BEST CHEF AWARDS 2024 and many chefs have been recognized at all levels of the Knife Awards.
- Three Knives: Grégoire Berger (Ossiano) and Himanshu Saini (Trèsind Studio)
- Two Knives: Mohamad Orfali (Orfali Bros) and Daniel Birk (Row on 45)
- One Knife: Rahul Rana (Avatara), Solemann Haddad (Moonrise), and Tom Allen (Dinner by Heston Blumenthal)
The success of THE BEST CHEF AWARDS in Dubai reinforces the city’s position as a leading gastronomic destination, demonstrating its commitment to supporting international talent and innovation. With the conclusion of this momentous event, Dubai’s reputation as a global culinary hub is further enhanced, leaving an indelible mark on the international culinary scene.
The Best Chef Awards
Instagram: @thebestchefawards
Photo courtesy: EATWEEKGUIDE
