The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, named Geranium in Copenhagen The World’s Best Restaurant 2022. The awards ceremony, hosted by internationally renowned actor and gourmet Stanley Tucci, took place 18 July at Old Billingsgate.
Taking over the No.1 position from Noma – which has been elevated to the Best of the Best hall of fame – Geranium, led by chef Rasmus Kofoed, was voted the No.2 restaurant in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 list.
Geranium’s mission is to create food that awakens the senses, and Chef Kofoed’s meticulous cooking and incredible vision, including his recent decision to go meatless, have won accolades and fans worldwide. Geranium is joined in the top three by Central (No.2) in Lima and Disfrutar (No.3) in Barcelona.
South America continues to make culinary waves, as Central in Lima is named No.2 in the list and The Best Restaurant in South America, with the continent boasting eight restaurants overall including new entry Mayta (No.32) in Lima and Oteque (No.47) in Rio de Janeiro. Asia follows with seven restaurants in the list, including new entries Sorn in Bangkok (No.39) and La Cime, Osaka (No.41). The Best Restaurant in Asia is Den in Tokyo (No.20), while list debutant Fyn in Cape Town (No.37) is crowned The Best Restaurant in Africa. Pujol (No.5) in Mexico City takes The Best Restaurant in North America spot for the third time.
The Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award is presented to Atomix, a 14-seat tasting menu restaurant set around a single U-shaped counter in New York, run by husband and wife team Junghyun ‘JP’ and Ellia Park. With JP leading the kitchen and Ellia the front of house, the duo deliver a standout culinary experience, offering ground-breaking Korean cuisine and impeccable service to international visitors and New Yorkers alike.
René Frank of Coda, Berlin, is the recipient of The World’s Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Sosa. The renowned pastry chef leads Germany’s first and only specialist high-end dessert restaurant. Frank’s innovative and memorable creations, with a basis in traditional techniques, have attracted an ever-growing fanbase as well as help build the chef’s reputation internationally.
Introduced as a new award for 2022, the Beronia World’s Best Sommelier title is awarded to Josep Roca, sommelier and co-owner of El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain. Roca is a world-renowned sommelier, whose talent exemplifies excellence within wine and food and whose passion is captivating. El Celler de Can Roca, which Josep runs with his brothers Joan and Jordi, now sits in the Best of the Best hall of fame having won The World’s Best Restaurant title in both 2013 and 2015.
Uliassi (No.12) in Senigallia, Italy is the winner of the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles, in recognition of the restaurant’s contemporary cuisine inspired by the traditions of the Adriatic Coast.
Further new entries include: Alchemist (No.18) and Jordnær (No.38), both in Copenhagen; The Jane (No.23) in Antwerp; Le Clarence (No.28) in Paris; St Hubertus (No.29) in San Cassiano, Italy; and Ikoyi (No.49) in London.
Nobelhart & Schmutzig (No.17) is awarded the Villa Massa Highest Climber Award, after the Berlin restaurant climbed 28 places since the publication of the 2021 list. Proud of its “vocally local” philosophy, Nobelhart & Schmutzig sets its focus firmly on its producers, resulting in high demand for its 10-course signature menu.
Jorge Vallejo, chef-owner of Quintonil (No.9) in Mexico City wins the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award. Voted on by his peers – the world’s leading chefs – it is awarded to a chef who has had a significant influence on the culinary community.
Aponiente in the south-west of Spain takes home the Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant Award. This award is independently audited by the Sustainable Restaurant Association, which rates establishments that self-nominate for the award based on a wide range of criteria, including environmental and social responsibility.
The evening also celebrated those honoured with pre-announced special awards. These included the Champions of Change winners: Dieuveil Malonga, Koh Seng Choon and duo Olia Hercules and Alissa Timoshkina; Leonor Espinosa, winner of The World’s Best Female Chef Award, sponsored by Nude Glass; social entrepreneur Wawira Njiru, winner of the Icon Award; and Marseille restaurant AM par Alexandre Mazzia, winner of the American Express One To Watch Award.
The full list of the 2022 Awards winners: www.theworlds50best.com/list/1-50
Photo credit: The Worlds 50 Best
The World’s 50 Best
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