One of Colombia’s most celebrated culinary figures and the chef-owner of Leo in Bogotá, Leonor Espinosa, has been named by The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2022 as the winner of The World's Best Female Chef Award. Previously recognised as Latin America’s Best Female Chef in 2017, Espinosa has become one of the most important personalities in Colombia through her hard and consistent work, not only celebrating and promoting local Colombian products and flavours, but also highlighting the value of the country’s biodiversity and social aspects of gastronomy. A key figure in Colombia’s food renaissance, Espinosa relocated and reimagined her flagship restaurant last year in the upmarket Chapinero district of Bogotá. At the new venue, Espinosa has crafted a tasting menu with 100% of the ingredients sourced within the country and each dish forming part of a broader Colombian food narrative. The gastronomic experience is inspired by Espinosa’s ‘Ciclo-Bioma’ concept, which focuses … Continue reading
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‘It was time to return back home and execute my vision’ – Alvaro Clavijo on El Chato
BOGOTA: When Alvaro Clavijo returned to open El Chato in Bogota, Colombia after gaining experience in places like Noma, L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Atera and Per Se it was a bit of a risk. With that CV, Alvaro could have not only have worked anywhere, he could also have opened a project in any part of the world and the odds would have been stacked in his favour for the venture to be successful. Returning to Colombia was, however, what he really wanted because it was here that he could showcase what he had learned in his travels around the world. He knew that the country offered lots of possibilities from ingredients that needed to be discovered to constraints of getting produce in a city that stands 1,600 metres above sea-level. Neither when things were not going as planned did Alvaro lose hope. Despite difficulties to get recognition particularly in the local press, he persevered taking on a lot of debt to finally make the restaurant one of the best restaurants in Latin America. … Continue reading
Slovenia’s BRDA&Vino food and wine festival returns with a bang
The much awaited BRDA & VINO Wine and Culinary Festival returned to the picturesque medieval village of Šmartno after three years on Saturday 23 April. It was great to be able to attend again after my last visit in 2019. The regular visitors who came from all across Europe and beyond and me had missed this event. BRDA & VINO is popular for many reasons, among them: the variety of dishes and wines on offer, the lovely atmosphere brought on by the many entertainers and the visitors themselves, the setting and surrounding views. All who attend are in a happy mood, heightened by the festive live music performances. Beautiful location The idyllic location, the tiny village of Šmartno, is bang in the centre of Slovenia’s most coveted wine-producing region—Goriška Brda, which has often been dubbed Slovenia’s Tuscany. One will see why when admiring the rolling hills and vineyards from one of the many hilltops. Šmartno itself is perched on a hill and offers amazing views of … Continue reading
Sixth edition of The Best Chef Awards to be held in Madrid
The 6th edition of The Best Chef Awards returns to Spain. This year, the event takes place on September 18, 19 and 20 in the Spanish capital Madrid. This international gastronomic event will include the Area Talks debates, the Food meets Science conference and will close with the grand Awards Gala where the best 100 chefs in the world will be announced. Gastronomy is a fundamental pillar of Spanish culture and this year, Madrid will be in charge of hosting professionals, journalists, foodies and chefs from all over the world for a new edition of The Best Chef Awards. After successful editions in Warsaw in 2017, Milan in 2018, Barcelona in 2019, a virtual edition in 2020 and the great return to Amsterdam in 2021, Madrid will become the center of the culinary world during these three days. This year's guests will be able to exchange knowledge with their colleagues from each continent and discover their great projects while enjoying one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, full … Continue reading
Racines: a way with pasta
BRUSSELS: The large raviolo stuffed with a whole burrata and a tartare of red prawns flown in from Sicily is cooked for just 52 seconds in boiling water. Chef Ugo Federico of Brussels restaurant Racines wants the burrata to melt but remain inside the pasta and the tartare of prawns to be served as a tartare, i.e. still cold. The end result is not only spectacular to see but also to eat. It is one of the signature dishes at Racines but it is not the only spectacular pasta dish. Soon after, there is a tortellino ‘carbonara’. For purists, it is not exactly carbonara because Ugo is using Parmiggiano Reggiano that has been aged by Belgian cheese affineur Van Tricht instead of Pecorino Romano for the filling and there is truffle instead of guanciale to top it up. There is a pasta with nduja and provolone Silano from the same region that hits all the right notes. It is on the right side of spiceness and the creaminess from the melted cheese combined to perfection with the acidity given to … Continue reading
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Agustin Balbi named country brand ambassador of Argentina
HONG KONG: Argentinian chef Agustin Balbi has won the Marco Pais award and has been named Ambassador of the Argentine Country Brand by the government of Argentina. This award recognises Argentinian individuals who stand out in their daily work and whose contribution to the country brand at a national and international level is significant or has high impact. Chef Balbi opened Spanish/Japanese restaurant Ando in July 2020 in Hong Kong in collaboration with the JIA group. Since the opening he has gone from strength to strength earning a Michelin star just six months into the opening and retaining that start for the second year … Continue reading
Second batch of smoked mushroom garum by Noma Projects returns for sale next week
The Smoked mushroom garum sold by Noma Projects which instantly sold out when it was launched the first time will again be available for purchase next week. The team has been crushing, blending and brewing the next batch which goes on sale on Wednesday at 3pm. This is a pre-order for those subscribed to the Noma Projects newsletter. Products may sell out during pre-orders. If they are not, the garums will be sold to the general public on Sunday May 8. Due to high demand during the launch, Noma Projects is limiting sales to 1 product per person (one single, one bundle, one 4-pack, or one gift set) to allow more of their friends to order. … Continue reading
Weekend Food Festival returns to Rovinj in May with international lineup of top chefs
The Weekend Food Festival is finally returning this year to be held in picturesque Rovinj, Croatia, from 5-8 May 2022. Top culinary stars from around the world will be taking part in the festival in Rovinj, including Massimo Bottura, legendary 3 Michelin Star chef of Osteria Francescana in Modena, a restaurateur and a socially-driven visionary who has won The World's 50 Best Restaurant Award twice (voted The World's Best restaurant in 2016 and 2018); Dabiz Muñoz from Madrid’s mind-bending DiverXO (3 Michelin stars and current number 1 in the Best Chefs Awards 2021); chef Rasmus Munk from astounding Danish restaurant Alchemist (2 … Continue reading
Kobe Desramaults to restart from Sicily after sabbatical with pop-up followed by permanent restaurant
On 1 June, one of Belgium’s most talented chefs Kobe Desramaults returns to cook after a sabbatical following the closure of his Gent restaurant Chambre Séparée. He will be cooking at Stazione Vucciria in Finale di Pollina. That will be temporary until he and his new business partners Franco Virgo and Stefania Milano, restaurant entrepreneurs in Sicily that are slowly putting the Italian island on the food map look for a new place in the Madonie mountains also in Sicily. The news that Kobe Desramaults would be settling in Sicily does not come as a surprise. In the past months, anyone following the Belgian chef on social media and … Continue reading
Eneko Atxa of Azurmendi opens Eneko Basque in Brussels
BRUSSELS: Eneko Atxa, chef of 3 Michelin star restaurant Azurmendi and Eneko, a chain of restuarants that serves traditional Basque food in Spain as well as internationally has opened a new restaurant in the Belgian capital, Brussels. Eneko Basque in Brussels brings Eneko's cuisine to Belgium. The Spanish chef's cuisine is a perfect trilogy of flavour, texture and aesthetics and is rooted in traditional Basque cooking. The flavour of home-cooked dishes are presented in innovative textures and techniques through various dishes. Eneko Atxa who was born in 1977 has five Michelin stars in total among them the flagship Azurmendi with a focus … Continue reading
Daniel Humm launches Eleven Madison Home, a plant-based subscription service
NEW YORK: Daniel Humm, the chef of Eleven Madison Park that turned plant-based last year is doubling down with a new service called Eleven Madison Home. The subscription service aims to encourage customers to eat a plant-based diet for at least one day a week because Daniel Humm that even this would have a positive impact. The pack which arrives at your home every week includes a day's worth of meals that allow subscribers the chance to enjoy discoveries from the restaurant in the comfort of their homes while learning about a world of farmers, artisans, flavours and ingredients. Daniel Humm said that turning Eleven Madison Park into a … Continue reading
Dieuveil Malonga, Koh Seng Choon, Olia Hercules and Alissa Timoshkina are Champions of Change 2022
Dieuveil Malonga, Koh Seng Choon and Olia Hercules and Alissa Tomshkina have been named Champions of Change 2022 by 50 Best. Champions of Change 2022 are heroes in the world of hospitality who are creating a positive change for their communities through their work. This award was launched last year to celebrate the industry’s unsung heroes. In 2022 the accolade is given to two individuals and one pair who are driving meaningful action and creating blueprints for a better hospitality sector. One of 2022’s winners is Dieuveil Malonga, the 30-year-old chef of restaurant Meza Malonga in Kigali, Rwanda, which he opened in 2020. Malonga’s … Continue reading
Clare Smyth’s first book to be launched in July
Core by Clare Smyth, her much anticipated debut book will be released on 7 July by Phaidon. The book captures Smyth's singular passion, experience and pursuit of excellence, charting her rise from prodigy to protégé to culinary giant. It tells the story of her journey from a farm in Country Antrim to becoming the first and only British female chef to hold three Michelin stars and being appointed MBE for her contribution to UK gastronomy. This is the latest addition to Phaidon's seminal chef monograph series. Writing the foreward to the book, chef Gordon Ramsay who had Clare along his side for many years as head chef in his restaurants … Continue reading
‘Good and better things are coming’ – the Torres twins behind Cocina Hermanos Torres
BARCELONA: Twin brothers Javier and Sergio Torres have known from a very young age that they would cook and work together. Even when they were training to become chefs and getting experiences in some of the world's best restaurants, the two had everything planned to the last detail. They knew that four hands were better than two and that if they set their mind to learning different things, they would end up with a sum that is greater than its parts. Today, just four years after opening their dream restaurant Cocina Hermanos Torres; an industrial factory turned into a sleak, modern “kitchen with tables” they are ready to take the world by … Continue reading
Noma in five day New York pop-up in May
Noma is heading to New York for a very rare pop-up next month. The dinners were announced by America Express and will be held between May 16 and May 20. “Noma is looking forward to travelling to New York this spring to share our cooking and craft with some of the most passionate diners in the world,” René Redzepi, chef of Noma said. “It is incredibly rare that we take noma’s kitchen on the road for a collaboration but American Express has been a longtime partner and we look forward to honouring that relationship thought this special event.” Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 27 April on the Resy platform. This is the first time Noma … Continue reading
350 restaurants in 15 countries to take part in fundraiser this week
350 restaurants in 15 countries are standing together to help those in need. The collective of restaurants owned by young chefs JRE has chosen Thursday April 21 as the day they will raise funds for charities of choice with the main focus being the refugee crisis created by the war in Ukraine. In Belgium, member restaurants will pay EUR 10 for every person eating in their restaurant on 21 April. JRE Belgium said that they have chosen 12-12 as the organisation they will support. 12-12 provides children with immediate assistance and ensure they have access to food, health care and a safe living environment. The consortium 12-12 brings … Continue reading
World’s 50 Best Restaurants list 2022 to be unveiled in London on 18 July
LONDON: 50 Best has officially announced that this year's award ceremony will take place in London on Monday 18 July at the historic Old Billingsgate market in the City of London. Marking the 20th anniversary of the awards, the return to London is happening in view of the decision taken a few weeks not to hold the award ceremony in Moscow following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The event had been hosted in London between 2003 and 2015. An exclusive events programme hosted throughout the city will culminate in the awards ceremony, taking place in Old Billingsgate, the capital’s former fish market overlooking the River Thames and Tower … Continue reading
First ever Streat Fest in Brussels this May
BRUSSELS: The first edition of Streat Fest is being organised in the Belgian capital between Thursday 12 May and Sunday 15 May. Inside the sheds of the iconic building Tour & Taxis, the festival brings together street food, artisans, art and music for a stimulating festival. Over 50 chefs and restaurants will propose their vision of street food. There will be renowned names like El Cuchillo, Humphrey, Sanzaru, Gramm by Kenzo Nakata, Hors-Champs by Stefan Jacobs and Chermanne by Stephane Chermanne among others. There will also be those who are already well known for their street food offering such as Monella by Italian duo Ugo and … Continue reading
Spanish chef Paco Morales takes a bit of Andalucia to Copenhagen for one-month popup
Spanish chef Paco Morales of the highly acclaimed Noor restaurant in Cordoba will be opening a pop-up restaurant at the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen between 2 July and 28 July. Paco has been riding the crest of the wave over the past few years after opening his restaurant Noor or Light as it is translated into English. Constraining himself to exploring his city’s glorious past by limiting the scope of space and time he will be taking his ‘gastro-archeology’ to Denmark mixing dishes from his world-famous restaurant Noor with more down-to-earth versions and playful tapas from his second restaurant in Cordoba el Bar. For this pop-up, Paco … Continue reading
Two new three Michelin star restaurants in France
COGNAC: The number of three Michelin star restaurants have risen to 31 after two new restaurants received their coveted three stars at the award ceremony in Cognac on Tuesday 22 March. Arnaud Donckele, already chef of the three Michelin star restaurant La Vague d’Or in St Tropez also clinched three stars for his restaurant Plenitude - Cheval Blanc in Paris. On the other hand, Dimitri and Marielle Droisneau also joined France’s culinary elite for their restaurant La Villa Madie in Cassis. There were six new two Michelin star restaurants and 41 one Michelin star restaurants in the new guide which today has 627 Michelin star restaurants in … Continue reading
Reale reopens with vegetable tasting menu
CASTEL DI SANGRO: When Reale reopens on March 23, Niko Romito will present a tasting menu that represents the chef’s journey into his research of the vegetable world. The choice to reopen Reale with a tasting menu dedicated to vegetables is a response to a creative process born 20 years ago. Vegetables have often featured on his menus and some vegetable dishes such cauliflower or mushroom have become iconic. The Italian chef is now taking his continuous research to extract the best flavour out of very ingredient into a full menu which ennobles simple ingredients through creativity and intuition. “This year more than ever, I realised … Continue reading
Highlights
Nick Bril and Lionel Rigolet join forces for four-month Brussels pop-up
BRUSSELS: Nick Bril and Lionel Rigolet have teamed up to create a new gastronomic experience in Brussels. It is housed at the top of one of the most emblematic buildings in Belgium. From March 15, the pop-up restaurant Table 58 will be set up on the rooftop of Palais 5 at Brussels Expo with a view of the Atomium one of Brussels’ most recognised symbols. Nick Bril is chef of two Michelin star Antwerp restaurant The Jane and Lionel Rigolet is the chef of Brussels iconic two Michelin star restaurant Comme Chez Soi. It is the first time … Continue reading
Brussels restaurant La Canne en Ville to move to new spot after three years
BRUSSELS: One of Belgium's most promising young chefs Kevin Lejeune has announced that restaurant La Canne en Ville will move to a new place in April. In 2018, he took over a popular family restaurant, La Canne en Ville, a neighbourhood restaurant in the an area close to Chatelain in the Brussels capital. He gained a star soon after despite keeping the same decor and style of a neighbourhood restaurant. In April, he will move to the the Steingenberger Wiltcher's Hotel. He will still propose a creative cuisine in a larger dining room with … Continue reading
What it takes to be The Best Chef
Readers of best selling book Thinking Fast and Slow by Nobel prize winner Daniel Kahneman know that there are two thinking systems. One is Type 1 which is fast, intuitive and unconscious thought. The other is type 2 which is slow, calculating and conscious thought. You could say that opposites attract. And that Cristian Gadau and Joanna Slusarczyk used the two systems Kahneman coined when they launched The Best Chef. The first is Italian, the second Polish. The former was in the world of gastronomy, the latter loved food but was a … Continue reading
Growing in Strength – Brace in Copenhagen Turns Five Years Old
COPENHAGEN: It’s been a bumpy year, and the year has only just begun. In fact, it’s been a bumpy few years. The Coronavirus pandemic has caused catastrophic ripples, devastating small and large restaurants through the hospitality industry. Such an effect makes a birthday even more celebratory – proof that you’ve weathered the storm. For Brace, the Michelin Green Starred restaurant in Copenhagen, turning five years old, is both a cause for celebration and an opportunity to reflect on what has been. Opening in February 2017 under the guidance … Continue reading
Bon Bon to close in June: Chef Hardiquest says this is the start of a new chapter
BRUSSELS: One of the most influential restaurants in Belgium, Bon Bon will close its doors on 30 June 2022 after 20 years, chef Christophe Hardiquest announced on social media. Hardiquest is one of Belgium's top chefs and restaurateurs and one of the most internationally recognised chefs in Belgium. Over the past few years, the restaurant has established itself as one of the leading restaurants in Belgium with a near perfection score in the Gault & Millau guide. Cristophe Hardiquest said that we have been living in a strange period … Continue reading
Vicky Lau’s new restaurant Mora is all about soy
HONG KONG: Despite current restrictions, chef Vicky Lau has opened a new restaurant together with co-founder Romain Herbreteau and head chef Percy Ho. The new restaurant Mora, an intimate 28-seater French-Chinese restaurant will showcase one of Asia's oldest culinary traditions: soy food. It has opened in the historic street if Upper Lascar Row in Sheung Wan. The location connects Mora to Hong Kong's fascinating history with a Chinese character that represents texture. Mora pays tribute to the humble yet versatile ingredient soy which is a … Continue reading
Sergio Herman to open Blueness in Antwerp
ANTWERP: After the success of Blueness in Cadzand, Sergio Herman has announced that he will open Blueness Antwerp in spring 2002 in a classic building on the Lange Gasthuisstraat in the heart of the fashion district. The project will be in the hands of chef Jaclyn Kong and Maitre Dorine van den Eydne who both share a common professional past and a healthy dose of ambition. Both women used to work with Sergio Herman at Oud Sluis and The Jane. While Jaclyn has been part of the Pure C team and later was one of the two chefs at Blueness Cadzand, … Continue reading
Slovenia brings innovative thinkers for second edition of European Food Summit
The European Food Summit has taken its place as one of Europe’s most important gastronomy-oriented events. The event, in its second edition took place in Ljubljana in November. It was not just a forum for discussion offering delightful food for thought but also served to showcase some of the country’s most notable places also offering delightful food for thought. “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart”. Saint-Exupéry’s inspirational quote from “Le Petit Prince” was the first thing to … Continue reading
Nick Bril gives helping hand to Thijs Meliefste with two week pop-up at Upper Room Bar in The Jane
ANTWERP: Chef Nick Bril has offered the Upper Room Bar of The Jane Antwerp to Thijs Meliefste and his team for an unusual and unique two-week pop-up in Antwerp. Like other restaurants in the Netherlands, Meliefste in the Netherlands are still closed. "After last Friday's news we have decided to help our northern neighbours and reach out a hand to our dear friends from restaurant Meliefste. As from Thursday 27 January, Thijs Meliefste, the acclaimed Dutch chef will takeover the Upper Room Bar for a temporary pop-up from Thursday to Sunday … Continue reading
Michelin postpones launch of Belgium and Luxembourg guide to May
The Michelin Guide for Belgium and Luxembourg will be released on May 23. The announcement of the new guide and stars had to be made on 21 February but the current health crisis has led to The new Michelin stars for Belgium and Luxembourg will instead be presented on May 23 at the Royal Theatre in Mons. Physical meetings for the time being are not possible due to the rules in Belgium. By postponing the 2022 star ceremony by three months, the Michelin Guide wants to try and do everything in its power to ensure that a physical event can be … Continue reading
Paco Morales: Let there be ‘Light’
CORDOBA: To have missed out on the first four seasons of Noor is akin to having started watching Games of Thrones directly in its fifth season. That’s an analogy Paco Morales, chef patron of Noor makes as he now enters the age of discovery or exploration as the 15th century is often known. Today you can say Paco is riding the crest of the wave. For five years, since opening his restaurant Noor, or Light as it is translated into English, he has constrained himself to explore his city’s glorious past limiting the scope of space and time while … Continue reading
New year’s resolution for 50 Best: Hope for Hospitality 2022
50 Best has set out its resolution and ambitions for next year by launching the 50 Best Hope for Hospitality manifesto amid an ambitious programme of events which culminates with the World's 50 Best Restaurants award ceremony in Moscow. It is using the holiday season to reflect on the unprecedented nature of events of the last two years while looking ahead with renewed spirit and optimism for 2022. In 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 50 Best pivoted from publishing its annual ranking and hosting live events to focus on … Continue reading
Thierry Theys of Nuance in Duffel is Gault & Millau 2022 Belgian chef of the year
BRUSSELS: Thierry Theys, the chef of restaurant Nuance in Duffel was named chef of the year by the Gault & Millau Belgian guide to a digital audience on Monday, December 13. “With his sense of nuance - what’s in a name - this chef has reached new heights in 2021. His cuisine has a signature that is visible from the appetisers down to the desserts and coffee. Not a single detail is missing from the luxurious interior to the bread and butter selection,” the guide’s CEO Mark Declerck said when announcing the awards. He succeeds Christophe … Continue reading
Niko Romito fulfills dream of opening restaurant in Paris
Niko Romito, one of Italy's greatest contemporary chefs has fulfilled a dream of opening a restaurant in Paris. The restaurant called Il Ristorante Niko Romito has opened in the Bulgari Hotel in the French capital. "To open a restaurant in Paris is the dream of every chef," said the self-taught chef of Reale, a three Michelin star restaurant in Abruzzo. "If I could speak to those young guys who 20 years ago were beginning their adventure in a tiny village nestled in the Abruzzese mountains totally unaware of what they were doing and … Continue reading
Moscow to host 2022 World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in July
The ceremony for the The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 awards will be hosted in Moscow, Russia in July 2022. This was announced by 50 Best earlier this week. The world’s most renowned chefs, restaurateurs and culinary icons gathered last month for the return of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 which was held in the Belgian city of Antwerp. It was the first in-person awards programme since 2019, representing an important milestone in the ongoing recovery of the restaurant sector. This will be the first time that the awards takes place … Continue reading
If it is dark enough you can see the stars
Go back some years and no one would have bet a dime on Eric Vildgaard. Maybe neither Eric believed that if it got dark enough he would be able to see the stars. Except Tina Kragh Vildgaard. She saw potential and she believed they could not just create a family together but also a restaurant. She had fallen in love with Eric despite his troubled past. "The most attractive part about Eric is that he is so passionate," she said as she looked him in the eyes. "He does everything at 100 per cent. That is what I fell in love with and I am still in … Continue reading
In search of identity: Malta’s culinary scene has never looked brighter
VALLETTA: Malta’s culinary scene has never looked brighter. A six week stay on the island in summer only served to confirm what I have been observing over the past few years. The introduction of Michelin, despite some criticism, has really pushed the bar as ambitious chefs and restaurateurs step up their game amid the hardships and difficulties that the pandemic has created. There were two dinners over the summer that taken separately both could easily fit the bill as among the best I've enjoyed on this Mediterranean island. They say … Continue reading
Geranium eliminates meat from menu
COPENHAGEN: Rasmus Kofoed, chef of Danish restaurant Geranium has announced that he will no longer be serving meat at the acclaimed restaurant in Copenhagen. "I have not been eating meat at home for the last five years so to no longer use meat on the new menu was a logical decision and a natural progression for Geranium." The Danish restaurant, which placed second in the World's 50 Best Restaurants list in Antwerp last month has long focused on vegetables, fish and shellfist as the star of the plate with only small quantities of meat being … Continue reading
Mads Refslund launches 12-month pop-up restaurant at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives
Acclaimed Danish chef and restaurateur, Mads Refslund, has launched a new pop-up restaurant at Soneva Fushi, the award-winning luxury resort in the Maldives. Located at Fresh in the Garden, a treetop dining destination that overlooks the resort’s extensive organic island gardens, the pop-up is based on Mads Refslund’s signature concept of Fire and Ice. “I always find inspiration in nature so to have the opportunity to cook among the treetops of Soneva Fushi is very inspiring,” says Mads Refslund. “The key focus of the pop-up concept at … Continue reading
Daniel Humm to leave successful Davies and Brook restaurant as Claridge’s hotel don’t embrace his plant-based vision
Daniel Humm and Claridge’s will be parting ways at the end of the year. The London hotel has not accepted Daniel Humm’s decision to go plant-based at the restaurant Davies and Brook which has won accolades in the months it was open. David Humm said it was with sadness that he and the hotel management were announcing they would go separate ways at the end of the year. Over the last 18 months Daniel Humm as been taking the time to consider what his next chapter was. And that chapter is plant-based. He has turned his flagship restaurant … Continue reading
The World of Aperitivo: a new Antwerp pop-up store
ANTWERP: The Italian dolce vita icon Martini, versatile Belgian lifestyle brand Serax and Italian caterer Franceso & Julia have teamed up to open an aperitivo experience store at Korte Gasthuisstraat in Antwerp between November 26 and December 31. The pop-up store has the theme ‘The World of Aperitivo’ and is aimed at offering ideas on how to welcome and surprise guests during the festive season. The store is a gift shop for the holidays and offers a wide range of festive accessories, Italian snacks as well as limited edition Martini … Continue reading
Da Gorini: A highly personal interpretation of the terroir
SAN PIERO IN BAGNO: In an unspoilt part of Emilia Romagna there a small village called San Piero in Bagno. The whole commune has just around 6,000 inhabitants. It's just over 100 kilometres away from Bologna and Modena where we've spent a few days and the contrast is astonishing. There are no Ferrari's or Maserati's driving past in this sleepy village despite the fact that this is Italy's region that is known for its fast cars and its slow food. What there is instead, is this sense of peace, of time standing still, of authenticity, stunning … Continue reading
Bar Bulot Antwerp: Perfecting the classics
ANTWERP: Joachim Boudens and Gert de Mangeleer, the duo behind the success of three Michelin star restaurant Hertog Jan and now entrepreneurs in their own right have been keeping busy despite the pandemic. After the successful return of Hertog Jan in a new intimate format, they have opened a second branch of their highly successful classic French-Belgian brasserie Bar Bulot in Antwerp. The first one opened in Bruges and immediately was rewarded with a Michelin star and also voted as Brasserie of the Year by Gault Millau. That makes it two … Continue reading
European Food Summit returns for second edition
LJUBLJANA: One of Europe’s most important culinary events, the European Food Summit, is back in Ljubljana this November after its premiere in 2019. Food, food, food. With a healthy dose of food-focused events from culinary walks and dinners to a gastronomy-oriented symposium, the European Food Summit (EFS) attracts some of the top names in the food world for what has become an important culinary event on the continent. Even though it’s a fairly new event, premiering in 2019, people have been talking about it ever since. … Continue reading
Green Revolution: A morning with Michael Vrijmoed and Stephanie Le Quellec
It is a crisp autumn morning. The fourth session of the Saint Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is taking place in a new spot created by chef and entrepreneur David Martin. It is in an idyllic spot, perfect to transmit knowledge. For this session, six chefs have been invited to work with mentor chefs Stephanie Le Quellec of La Scene in Paris, France and Michael Vrijmoed of restaurant Vrijmoed in Gent, Belgium. The focus is on the green revolution. Michael Vrijmoed has been serving a vegetable based menu since he opened his acclaimed … Continue reading
Digging up dirt on truffles
Author Tom Benjamin talks about what inspired his critically-acclaimed Bologna-set novel The Hunting Season. Today, authenticity is everything – we may not be able to travel to Italy but at least we can savour the flavours of the country, painstakingly following recipes proclaiming they’ve been handed down from one nonna to another using ingredients from Tuscan farms and Pugliese olive groves. Italians have an appreciation for food unlike any other culture I’ve experienced – they make small talk about it the way the British discuss … Continue reading
Belgium for foodies: Favourite female top chefs
Belgium for Foodies is a new book that has just been released featuring 350 places in Belgium. It invites the reader to discover Belgium's extraordinary culinary scene by taking you on a trip through the country from the North Sea to the countryside as well as the vibrant cities. Written by Femke Vandevelde with photography by Tony de Luc, the book is made up of various lists which enables you to choose what you want from young talents to favourite female top chefs, Belgian fries done right, dining at the bar, places to eat drink and read … Continue reading
Martini and Sergio Herman develop new limited edition cocktail
Martini and Sergio Herman have created a ready to serve cocktail called Martini Spritzante. This cocktail was born from a collaboration with the Dutch chef, lover of Italian cuisine and the Italian brand. For this collaboration, Sergio Herman has developed a completely new flavour palette together with Martini master blender Beppe Musso. He worked on it during a trip to Pessione, Italy, the heart of Martini in Italy. The result is a balanced, fresh cocktail with a subtle bitter touch that comes into its own in combination with snacks … Continue reading
The return of Hertog Jan: The devil is in the details
ANTWERP: They say the devil is in the details. And in this regard, it is difficult to find any detail missing at the newly opened Hertog Jan at Botanic in Antwerp. This has been a much awaited reopening. After Gert de Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens shocked the Belgian culinary scene with their decision to close their flagship 3 Michelin star restaurant Hertog Jan in Zedelgem four years ago, they have not rested on their laurels. They’ve moved L.E.S.S. Eatery from the previous location to the centre of Bruges making it a destination restaurant … Continue reading
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is back: a look back at the events in Antwerp
ANTWERP: When the number two restaurant was announced in the Flanders Meeting and Convention Centre in Antwerp last week René Redzepi, chef and face of restaurant Noma knew that this would be a special moment, one that had to be savoured because it would be the last time he would step on the podium of the World’s 50 Best as number one restaurant in the world. Rasmus Kofoed, chef of restaurant Geranium, also in Copenhagen had just been called as the second restaurant in the world meaning the top spot would end up going to the 79-strong … Continue reading
New book to celebrate 10 years of Septime
There is a reason why Septime in Paris has become a global destination for food lovers ranking 24th in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list unveiled in Antwerp last week. At the age of 30 Bertrand Grébaut and his high-school friend Théophile Pourriat decided to open Septime in the 11th arrondissement of Paris in 2011. Their ambition: to build a space they had not experienced anywhere else in Paris, liberated and unpretentious, “a place with first-class cuisine, a beautiful setting, friendly service and a list of natural wines that we … Continue reading
Bringing a bit of Champagne to Slovenia
One of the highlights of travelling is anticipation. Today, we’re travelling within the country of Slovenia, an hour’s drive east of Ljubljana, to the steep hills of the upper Dolenjska region. Slovenia boasts many culinary hotspots that are scattered all around the country, making it an ideal destination for food travellers. You can travel over the next hill or plain, and find yourself in a new gastronomic region marked by its own specialities. We’re heading to Domaine Slapšak—the house of Slovenian sparkling wine made using … Continue reading
Redzepi: Making Noma the best place to work is the next goal
ANTWERP: As René Redzepi walked into the auditorium of the Flanders Meeting and Convention Centre in Antwerp he was anxious. Not because there was a possibility that he could end up on the podium of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for the fifth (and last) time but rather because events like these have not happened for many months now and restaurants in part of the world are still struggling with COVID-19 outbreaks. He had come prepared with a speech even if he said he was not aware that his team would clinch the top spot in the list. … Continue reading
Noma is World’s 50 Best Restaurant of the year
ANTWERP: Restaurant Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark was crowned World 50 Best Restaurant for 2021. René Redzepi and his team crowned a spectacular year for them amid what has been the hardest 18 months of the restaurant industry when they regained the title they had won four times in their former location. After clinching a third Michelin star a few weeks ago this will be a year to remember for Rene Redzepi and his 79 team members. At a press conference after the event, Redzepi said the secret of this success was all the team at the restaurant. … Continue reading
We need radical change – Daniel Humm
“Speaking about 15 years ago made sense. Now it is too late. What we need is not talk about sustainability but radical change,” said Daniel Humm, chef of acclaimed restaurant Eleven Madison Park which turned plant-based when it reopened earlier this year. In his first public appearance after a scathing review of his restaurant Eleven Madison Park by food critic Peter Wells who revealed in passing that meat was still being served in the restaurant’s private room, Daniel Humm said that facing bankruptcy and suddenly getting comfortable with … Continue reading
The return of Gert De Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens at Hertog Jan
ANTWERP: Four years ago, Gert de Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens shocked the Belgian fine-dining scene when they announced they would be closing down their flagship restaurant Hertog Jan in Zedelgem to focus on other projects. Now, nearly four years after the closure, they are revving their engines to start the third chapter of the restaurant that brought them so much success. Hertog Jan at Botanic in Antwerp is the new chapter of their story. The restaurant will be open two weeks each month as from next week. In a very small and intimate … Continue reading
Mauro Colagreco takes the helm of two restaurants within The Maybourne Riviera
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin: Chef Mauro Colagreco will take the helm of two restaurants within The Maybourne Riviera. The soon-to-be-launched hotel joins London's iconic Claridge's, The Connaught and The Berkeley as part of the Maybourne Hotel Group. The restaurants will be housed in the strikingly modernist hotel, built on a rocky peninsula high above the town of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. His flagship will be Ceto, focusing on the sea and will open on Saturday 9th October. Located on the hotel’s top floor with dramatic panoramic views out over the … Continue reading
Gucci Osteria Beverly Hills awarded with a Michelin star
Gucci Osteria Beverly Hills is the second Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura to clinch a Michelin star following the success of the first one that opened in Florence, Italy. Promoting modern Italian cuisine while embracing local Californian ingredients, Gucci Osteria is led by the young Italian chef Mattia Agazzi, under the guidance of chef Massimo Bottura of three-star Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy and Karime Lopez, chef of the first Gucci Osteria in Florence. Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura are a series of three contemporary … Continue reading
Pop-up Kokotte: a culinary incubator in Brussels to test new restaurant concepts
BRUSSELS: Regine and Aline did not know what they would face when they opened a temporary pop-up restaurant at Pop-up Kokotte in central Brussels in March 2020. They still remember the day, a Tuesday. Little did they know that by Saturday, they would be shut for good in the first COVID-19 lockdown. Their concept was that of introducing African burgers to gastronomic burgers. The name of the concept, AfroBurgers. The two childhood friends had already tested their concept with a food-truck which worked well and their intention was to get a new … Continue reading
12 new entries in 51-100 position of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list
There are twelve new restaurants in the 51-100 positions of the World's 50 Best Restaurants list which returns this year after the cancellation of last year's events. Ahead of the official announcement that will take place in Antwerp, Belgium on 5 October, the World's 50 Best Restaurants has already released the restaurants that have made it to the second half of the list. Among them are 12 new restaurants. The highest new entry is Alchemist, the Copenhagen restaurant the restaurant by Rasmus Monk. Other new entrants are Le Du in … Continue reading