Passerini, an Italian restaurant owned by Roman chef Giovanni Passerini, is the top Italian restaurant outside of Italy according to 50 Top Italy, a list created from a project of LSDM (a gourmet cooking congress that has been held in Paestum since 2008) which is curated by the creators Barbara Guerra and Albert Sapere in collaboration with the journalist Luciano Pignataro. The second spot went to Don Alfonso 1890 in Toronto with the third spot going to Heinz Beck in Tokyo. These restaurants are managed by two of the most important names in the Italian restaurant sector, the Iaccarino family who revolutionised the concept of Mediterranean cooking from Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi and Heinz Beck, a German who set his roots in Rome and created La Pergola, a temple of gastronomy. The fourth and fifth positions go to Acquarello in Munich, and 8 ½ Bombana, in Hong Kong, restaurants led by two Italian chefs living abroad for some time now, Mario Gamba and Umberto Bombana. The top 50 is … Continue reading
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2019: a great vintage for Champagne
Despite the impact of global warming on the Champagne region with the average temperature increasing by 1.1 °C in 30 years the quality of the wines is very good for the year. Wine makers faced spring frost which destroyed some of the buds and the heat waves of June and July burned more than 10 per cent of the potential harvest. Nevertheless, the warm and sunny climate in August and September combined with cool nights approaching harvest led the vines to an exceptional ripening with musts with a balance between acidity and sugar content as well as aromatic concentration that augurs well for future cuvees. Picking started in the early days of September and is in the process of finishing now. Champagne shipments in the world were down by 1.8% to 301.9 million bottles. France and the UK, which account for 60 per cent of total sales saw the sharpest decrease with volumes going down by 4% though their turnover was more resilient (-2%) in view of increase in price. Overall … Continue reading
Spazio Niko Romito in Rome reopens as a ‘bar and kitchen’
ROME: Spazio Niko Romito has reopened its doors in downtown piazza Verdi after a brief hiatus. Awarded top scores during the interim incluidng the Illy Trophy for Coffee Bar of the Year by Gambero Rosso, it has changed its name to Spazio Niko Romito Bar e Cucina (bar and kitchen). Spazio Niko Romito Bar e Cucina is the natural, contemporary incarnation of an Italian style cafe, Italy's most popular business model in the restaurant sector thanks to its original concept as a meeting place for social interaction. Chef Niko Romito, of restaurant Reale in Castel di Sangro said, "Daily life is my most powerful source of inspiration. The driving force behind Spazio Niko Romito Bar e Cucina was my incessant wish to explore and evolve - our work is constant evolution, as I like to say. What sparked the change was an intuition that we could combine Spazio's restaurant format and the more informal one of Pane & Caffe, so that clients could have greater freedom and a wider choice of … Continue reading
Sketch in London gets 3 stars, but Jordan Bailey in Ireland surprises everyone with 2 stars in less than six months
Jordan Bailey (at Al Meni in Italy last June) There was one new three Michelin star restaurant in London (Sketch - the Lecture Room and Library) when the guide announced the results for Great Britain and Ireland. But, the biggest surprise, at least for those who did not know the background to Jordan Bailey’s success in Ireland was the promotion of his restaurant Aimsir in Celbridge directly to two Michelin stars (it had been open for only a few months). The restaurant which is focused on produce from Ireland is led by Jordan Bailey, originally from Cornwall is the former head chef of Maaemo in Oslo, Norway which has three Michelin stars, and his Danish front of house manager and wife Majken Bech Bailey. They moved to Ireland early last year to explore the food procurers and ingredients of their newly adopted home and got married during their first six months there. “Despite the obvious challenges being faced by the industry here in the UK, we are thrilled that this has … Continue reading
Three Michelin star De Leest in the Netherlands to close its doors
Kim Veldman and Jacob Jan Boerma, the owners of three Michelin star restaurant De Leest in the Netherlands will close its doors before the end of the year. The couple said that they will close the doors to the restaurant at the end of the year to star a new culinary adventure which will include a new restaurant opening in Amsterdam next year. One of the key reasons for the closure is the desire to spend more time with their four-year-old son Senne. Chef Boerma told the Dutch public broadcaster RTL that he had never been to a zoo or an amusement park with his son. Previously in the Netherlands, chef Sergio Herman had closed restaurant Oud Sluis at the pinnacle of his success. And in Belgium, Hertog Jan, the restaurant of Gert de Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens also closed its doors. The Dutch chef that it took a huge effort to make the restaurant successful but it was more than worth it. "We have worked incredibly hard for more than 17 years and it was mega intensive but the … Continue reading
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Tickets for second leg of ‘Two Brothers from another Sea’ up for sale on Friday
Tickets for the second leg of the collaboration between South African chef Kobus Van der Merwe, chef of Wolfgat and Belgian Willem Hiele, chef of the restaurant by the same name in Belgium will go on sale on Friday 9 October. The event, named Two Brothers from Another Sea will take place on 7 and 8 December in Paternoster, South Africa. The first part of the event took place in June in the Flemish seaside resort, Koksijde. Thousands of kilometres separate South Africa from Belgium. But the two chefs, brought together by Alexandra Sweden, have a lot in common as was evident in the first performance at Willem Hiele. The two chefs … Continue reading
Third International Chef Summit to debut in Singapore this year
SINGAPORE: Following two successful editions in Taipei, the International Chefs Summit Asia (ICSA) will be held in Singapore this year from 9 to 11 October 2019, with the theme of ‘Sourcing Locally, Innovating Globally’. Organised by Favorable Impression Media (FIM Media) and supported by Singapore Tourism Board, this year’s event will showcase the stellar cuisines and flavours of Asia, and see the region’s internationally acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs, food experts, and industry insiders taking part in constructive dialogue on the pulse of Asia’s culinary development. “As two cosmopolitan cities and gastronomic hubs in Asia with … Continue reading
Round trip four hands dinners by Christophe Pauly to resume
One says never change a winning formula. Belgian chef Christophe Pauly of restaurant Coq aux Champs has decided to organise a second edition of the 'round trip'. These round-trips are the occasion for the chef to invite colleagues to his restaurant and then to go back and cook with them inside their kitchens. This enhances the collaboration between the chefs and also gives the opportunity for guests to see the evolution. Alexandre Dionisio, chef of La Villa in the Sky Alexandre Dionisio, chef of Brussels two Michelin star restaurant La Villa in the Sky will be cooking at Coq aux Champs in the Ardennes on 22 October. In November, … Continue reading
The new Carnuntum
For more than fifteen years, Austria’s oenographic nomenclature has been undergoing substantial restructuring. In 2003, the first DAC regulations and classifications were introduced. While grape varieties were the main focus of attention at the time, today stylistic concerns are coming steadily to the fore, and the grape variety now is part of a bigger picture. And that is exactly how Carnuntum, the latest entrant to the DAC system, has defined its DAC regulations. It has taken time, 16 years in total, but the winegrowing region of Carnuntum, needed this time to present a well-designed a comprehensive new structure for the region. The … Continue reading
Riccardo Camanini and the magic of Lido 84: ‘an unexpected success’
Riccardo Camanini and his brother Giancarlo opened Lido 84 in Italy five years ago and it has been on my places to visit for at least three years, way before it became known. Today the secret is out about Lido 84 but till this day, the two brothers who own the restaurant, still cannot really understand the hype about their success. One thing strikes you when you enter the magical dining room of Lido 84. It is not the view of Lago Di Garda, which you would have soaked in by driving there or else walking from the car park. Neither are it the art pieces that have been very carefully selected by the Camanini brothers. It is rather a … Continue reading
Strong demand and record price for sparkling wine at Nahe Wine Auction
The steep terraced slope behind the estate house of Gut Hermannsberg © Uwe Schiereck The Kupfergrube is a great vineyard site. This steep terraced slope with a wall-like appearance standing behind the estate house of Gut Hermannsberg is majestically framed by a handful of other great vineyards in the Middle Nahe Valley. Even a superficial glance is enough to make clear that remarkable wines with charismatic personalities must grow there. This is the reason why Gut Hermannsberg only releases its Rieslings from the Kupfergrube when they reach five years of age. “These wines need far more time than all our others,” explained winemaker Karsten … Continue reading
Ana Ros auctioning three chef jackets in aid of little Kris
Ana Ros, chef of Slovenian restaurant Hisa Franko is auctioning three of her most coveted chef jackets in aid of Mali (little) Kris, a 19-month-old Slovenian boy who was born with a serious disease called spinal muscular atrophy. Hisa Franko has already made a donation but the chef has announced that she will auction these three jackets through their Facebook page to raise funds. The boy only has four months to get revolutionary care from the US which would help to cure the disease. Slovenians have already pooled in resources and raised 2.3 million euros in funds that will allow Kris to get treatment. Each of the jackets that are … Continue reading
Inside a war bunker: today turned into Hubert Stockner’s cheese bunker
BRUNICO: It is a warm summer day in the hills of Alto Adige but we are warned to take the warmest clothes we can get. We are set to visit a wartime bunker in the hills on the outskirts of this buzzing town in South Tyrol. This bunker is today called the Genuss Bunker (literally translated as pleasure bunker). As you walk into a narrow door, a strong whiff of cheese greets you. The first room is the tasting area, a small space with a long table which can take up to 20 people. Walk past this room and you are in Ali Baba's cave for cheese lovers. for Hubert Stockner has converted a war bunker in this border region in Italy into the … Continue reading
Bjorn Frantzén wins the The Best Chef Award Top100, followed by chef Joan Roca and chef David Muñoz
BARCELONA: Chef Björn Frantzén has been won the Best Chef Top100 Award for 2019 followed by Joan Roca (winner of the previous two editions) and David Muñoz in third place. The 2019-list includes chefs from 24 countries worldwide and features 15 new entries among which is Disfrutar, the restaurant in Barcelona which made the highest jump. The winners of The Best Chef Awards 2019 The Best Chef Top100 Award : Björn Frantzén of restaurant Frantzén in Stockholm, Sweden. The second place was for Joan Roca (Spain), who won the award in 2017 and 2018, the third place went to David Muñoz (Spain). … Continue reading
The #50BestTalks Paris gender fiasco
The all male panel which came under heavy criticsm The world food bubble descended on Paris on Monday 16 September for the #50BestTalks and what a fiasco it turned out to be. The most common question in food circles over the past weeks was whether you would be in Paris for the event as if being there or not separated the wheat from the chaff. What was meant to be a celebration of Mauro Colagreco and his number 1 position in the list (he will enter the hall of fame and will no longer be eligible to compete for the number 1 position following the change in rules earlier this year) turned out to be an embarrassment for the organisers who … Continue reading
Gelinaz! to return on 3 December: “Here I am, Here I am staying”
A moment from the GELINAZ! DOES UPPER AUSTRIA event With a cryptic message “Hey what do you expect, J’ y suis, j’ y reste (Here I am, here I am staying), Andrea Petrini has announced the return of GELINAZ! on 3 December. No details have been announced to date other than the food world can expect a GELINAZ! event on 3 December and this will also involve chef Antonia Klugmann of Italian restaurant L’Argine a Venco in Venco. She also said the same thing as Andrea Petrini, the founder of GELINAZ!, a collective of chefs that have grown over the years to include most of the most avant-garde people in the industry … Continue reading
Norbert Niederkofler and Jorge Vallejo cook the mountain at AlpiNN
Norbert Neiderkofler presents Jorge Vallejo BRUNICO: On the outskirts of the buzzing small town of Brunico, in South Tyriol, 2,300 metres above sea level lies a stunning restaurant, AlpiNN which is Norbert Niederkofler’s second restaurant in the region. The Italian chef rose to fame for his restaurant St Hubertus, which entered the 3 Michelin star hall of fame in 2017. At Alpinn, he has taken the Cook the Mountain philosophy not just in his cooking but also in the way that the restaurant has been designed. Together with Mexican chef Jorge Vallejo of restaurant Quintonil, Norbert Niederkofler and his team organised a unique four hands … Continue reading
Breakfast for charity to be organised on Brussels car free day
BRUSSELS: On 22 September, during the annual car free day, Thon Hotel Brussels is organising a breakfast for charity on Rue de la Lot in one of the city’s busiest streets. From 10.30am to noon, a long table will be set up to cater for more than 800 people. The continental breakfast will be free for all with donations being accepted for three partner associations, GoodPlanet Belgium, the Red Cross and Birds Bay. The car-free day in Brussels is organised on an annual basis and gives residents of the Belgian capital city the chance to enjoy their city free of cars, buses and traffic jams. This day is therefore conducive to the … Continue reading
Incredible VIVA: 8 chefs to cook at VIVA Viviana Varese in Milan
MILAN: An incredible line up of chefs will cook at Incredible VIVA, a series on dinners that are being held at VIVA Viviana Varese, a one Michelin star restaurant that is housed in Eataly, Milan. The chefs ranging from Tim Butler to Pia Leon, Adeline Grattard and Mauro Colagreco will be coking as guests of Viviana Varese in the coming months. The Italian chef teamed up with Anna Morelli, a friend and publisher of one of Italian food magazine Cook Inc to bring guests to cook at the Milan restaurant. “I wanted to create an event that was different from a four hands dinner. What we will do is let the chefs create a whole menu for … Continue reading
Gut Hermannsberg celebrates 10 years of terroir and Riesling
Together with guests from around the world Jens Reidel and Dr. Christine Dinse celebrated the dramatic return to form of their famous wine estate on the Nahe. In 2009 they purchased the former “Königlich-Preussische Weindomäne” – Royal Prussian Wine Domaine – in Niederhausen, later the Nahe State Domaine and renamed it Gut Hermannsberg. Since then they pushed the quality winery back to the very top. Today Gut Hermannsberg is one of Germany’s leading wine producers. Breathtakingly beautiful “It’s the most beautiful place in the world,” Michael Prinz zu Salm-Salm said in his speech at the 10th anniversary celebration at Gut … Continue reading
Viva Viviana Varese inaugurated in Milan
Viviana Varese thanks the chefs taking part in the inauguration party at VIVA MILAN: 30 chefs from Italy and outside Italy joined Viviana Varese to cook for over 800 guests who turned up for the inauguration of her new restaurant in Eataly Smeralda, Milan. VIVA is an acronym of the Chef’s name and surname and also substance, colour and life. “We created the project around 8 months ago. My idea was to name the restaurant Viva but the communication agency insisted it should be Viva Viviana Varese. I thought it was too ego centric but finally we agreed to the name.” “When we finally decided that the opening date would be 6 September, … Continue reading
Highlights
The Best Chef launches Area Talks to debate trends in gastronomy
BARCELONA: The Best Chef launches the first edition of Area Talks on 24 September in Barcelona. During this event, top chefs, foodies and experts will engage in a dialogue on contemporary trends in gastronomy. In addition to the already announced Food Meets Science conference that will be held on Monday, September 23 and the gala of The Best Chef Awards (on Tuesday evening, September 24), The Best Chef will organise the panel discussion Area Talks. The brand new event will take place on September 24th, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the … Continue reading
Austrian wine: Good quality and average volume reported for 2019 vintage
AUSTRIA: ‘Austrian winegrowers are looking forward to a good vintage with fully ripe grapes this year. Compared to the big harvest in 2018, an average volume of approximately 2.4 million hectolitres is expected. And after the record-breaking early harvest last year, picking will begin around Lake Neusiedl at the beginning of September. In other regions, the primary harvest will begin in mid-September’, explained Johannes Schmuckenschlager, president of the Austrian Winegrowers’ Association, with regard to 2019. No late frost damage this … Continue reading
Western African restaurant Akoko to open in London in October
LONDON: Launching on Berners Street in Fitzrovia this autumn, Akoko will bring Londoners a taste of West African Cuisine combining British ingredients with vivid aromas and authentic West African spices, Akoko will offer a unique window on the still relatively unknown West African Cuisine in a polished and relaxed setting. The first project from a British West African group with Head Chef William JM Chilila, the team want to bring West African Cuisine to London with bold yet refined dishes. Akoko, which means ‘time’ and also ’the first’ in … Continue reading
Gaufres & Waffles opens in Brussels on 6 September
BRUSSELS: On Friday 6 September, the first ever Gaufres & Waffles opens in the heart of the Belgian capital in the Galerie du Roi. Gaufres & Waffles is a new street food concept offering sweet and savoury waffles. It's a tribute to the Brussels waffle which has also been called the 'Belgian waffle' since the New York Expo of 1964. The concept is original as it takes the traditional waffle which is one of the most important sweets of the Brussels' culture and creates also a savoury version. At Gaufres & Waffles, the waffle is no … Continue reading
Vicky Lau to cook in Macau with Tam Kwok Fung on 5, 6 September
HONG KONG: Vicky Lau will join culinary forces with celebrated Executive Chef Tam Kwok Fung, and guest star in a two-night dinner series that highlights the use of coveted seasonal ingredients within an innovative French-Chinese menu. Savour an evening of “Edible Stories“, and discover the carefully crafted narrative of each dish that fuses Chef Lau’s innovative French-Chinese and Chef Tam’s authentic Cantonese cuisines. The dinners take place on the evenings of 5 and 6 September, one-Michelin-starred Relais & Châteaux member TATE Dining … Continue reading
Muhr-van der Niepoort becomes Weingut Dorli Muhr
Dorli Muhr (Photo by Herbert Lehmann) A few years after Dorli Muhr and Dirk Niepoort went separate ways in their private lives, they have decided to terminate their professional partnership. Dorli Muhr is taking over the fifty per cent holding from her Dutch/Portuguese partner to turn the former limited partnership into Weingut Dorli Muhr. It was in 2002, the year of their marriage that Dorli Muhr and Dirk Niepoort vinified their first Blaufrankisch red wines on the slopes of Spitzerberg in the Carnuntum region of Austria. They produced … Continue reading
Reservations for Alchemist for October to December to open on 19 August
Reservations for Copenhagen restaurant Alchemist which opened its doors earlier this year will open this afternoon, 19 August at 5pm (CET time). The response to the opening of the restaurant was overwhelming so the team at the Alchemist is asking clients to enter details on the waiting list in the booking system and they will contact clients if a table becomes available. It is possible to book a table from October 1 to December 21. The booking system has been changed to Tock which should provide customers with a smooth booking … Continue reading
No more ‘a la carte’ menu for Enrico Crippa at Piazza Duomo
Enrico Crippa: Customer preferences have changed Enrico Crippa, chef of Piazza Duomo in Alba, one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world has decided that he will stop serving an a la carte menu when the restaurant reopens after the summer holidays on 22 August. The Italian chef said in a letter that he wanted to communicate a very important step in his career and also that of the restaurant Piazza Duomo. “After a long period of reflection and careful considerations, I have decided that the time are ripe to offer three set menus … Continue reading
Two pizzerias top 50 Top Pizza Italy 2019
Francesco Pepe of Pepe in Grani in Caizzo, who has been the winner of the previous two editions of 50 Top Pizza has been joined this year in top position by Francesco Martucci of I Masanielli. After the announcement of the European list last month, it was now the time for the Italian list to be unveiled in Naples on 23 evening. 50 Top Pizza is an online list created by Barbara Guerra, Albert Sapere and Luciano Pignataro. Ciro Salvo of 50 Kalò in Naples, which won the top place for its pizzeria in London placed third. Pier Daniele … Continue reading
‘Vespertine is like my creative dungeon’ Jordan Kahn
Jordan Kahn presents Vespertine at the European Food Summit in Slovenia Like most people living in cities, Jordan Kahn, chef of Vespertine was driving around trying to avoid traffic when he spotted an empty building under construction. “That's what you do when you are in Los Angeles." He decided to stop the car and looked at ‘this thing and it was very emotional’. He had no idea what triggered his desire to stop. That evening, he finished work at his previous restaurant Red Medicine and after service, at around 3am, he went back to Culver … Continue reading
World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2020 will be held in Antwerp, Belgium
The MAS Museum, Antwerp ANTWERP: The next edition of the World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2020 will be held in Antwerp, Belgium. The Northern city of Antwerp, less than 50 kilometres from Belgium's capital Brussels will be hosting the award ceremony. The news had been in the air for the past few months but now it has been confirmed by the World's 50 Best Restaurants. Although no date for the event has been announced, it is likely to take place in early June to coincide with the UNWTO World Forum on Food Gastronomy, taking place in … Continue reading
Gert de Mangeleer to cook at HAKU in Hong Kong
Gert de Mangeleer HONG KONG: On 22 and 23 August, Belgian chef Gert de Mangeleer will cook at HAKU Hong Kong with Agustin Balbi in a special four-hands collaboration series. The event takes place over two nights with guests being able to experience an 11 course menu that highlights the chef's shared love for pure and organic flavours with a special focus on choosing sustainable premium ingredients. “When chef Gert and I first met in Milan, we were already following each other’s work for a while. We had a great conversation over dinner … Continue reading
Cyrus Todiwala to open first restaurant outside London
LONDON: Renowned celebrity chef, Cyrus Todiwala best known for appearing on The Incredible Spice Men and BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, has announced he will be opening his fifth restaurant alongside Café Spice Namasté and Mr Todiwala’s Kitchen, in his first move outside of London. In late August, Todiwala will be launching Tandem, a celebration of authentic Indian cuisine and cocktail mixology located in a picturesque and decorative Grade II listed building in the heart of Leicester city. The restaurant and bar will offer accessible luxury, … Continue reading
Maxime Gilbert to host Vincent Thierry at Écriture on 12 August
HONG KONG: Le Comptoir’s 2-Michelin-Star contemporary French restaurant, ÉCRITURE, will host award-winning chef Vincent Thierry of CHEF’S TABLE, The Dome at Lebua for a special collaboration dinner on Monday, August 12. Joining forces with Écriture’s own Maxime Gilbert, the two pioneering French chefs will present an exclusive 9-course joint menu featuring creative French cuisine available for one night only. A native of the Loire Valley – known as the ‘Garden of France’ and renowned for its wine, goat’s cheese and fresh produce – Chef … Continue reading
Under the circus tent at Al Meni in Rimini
The heavens opened at around 3pm on Saturday a few hours after the official opening of the Al Meni, an annual event organised in Rimini under a giant coloured circus tent sent between the sea and the Grand Hotel that evokes a great master of world cinema, Federico Fellini. Heavy rain, thunderstorms welcomed the opening day of the seventh edition of Al Meni, a festival that is organised annually in the Emilia Romagna city of Rimini in June. “In a world where walls are being built, and in a place where we were surrounded with walls 1,000 … Continue reading
Douro Boys Cuvée 2017 and Vintage Port 2017 to be released at October auction
Imagine a wine that is the result of a blend of the best barrel of red wines from five different winemakers and a port from the the best casks of vintage Port from the exceptional 2017 vintage. The Vale do Douro was an unknown river valley ‘somewhere in western Europe’, when João Ferreira Álvares Ribeiro, Jorge Roquette, Dirk van der Niepoort, Cristiano van Zeller & Vito Olazabal teamed up in 2003 as the ‘Douro Boys’. They wanted to make their native wine region better known in general, to introduce their red wines to the world at … Continue reading
A taste of the sea at new pop-up Bar Bulot in Bruges
The sea is very much the focus of the new pop-up restaurant opened by Gert de Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens in the original Hertog Jan and recently Bistro L.E.S.S. The pop-up is Bruges' new hotspot for summer. The pop-up restaurant opened a few days ago in time for the summer season. Following the successful opening of the new L.E.S.S eatery in the centre of Bruges, Gert and Joachim are offering a taste of the sea this summer in the Flemish city of Bruges. Under the guidance of chef Pieter Lefevere and host Maxime Depreitere (both former … Continue reading
Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore: What we have learned from the opening of Casa Maria Luigia
Having opened Casa Maria Luigia a few weeks ago, Massimo Bottura is already looking towards future projects. That’s him, constantly thinking about the future, about next projects. He is already in discussions to open more soup kitchens in Mexico, and with the help of Goldman Sachs, Amazon and Salesforce, New York, Seattle and San Francisco. He is even considering one in Bethlehem. But before the start of the Al Meni festival in Rimini last weekend, he took the time to share what his wife Lara Gilmore and he have learned from the opening … Continue reading
Veyrat speaks about the pain of losing a third star as he hits out at Michelin
Marc Veyrat, the 69 year old French chef of La Maison des Bois in Manigod, that lost the third Michelin star after just one year in January has said he is convinced that no Michelin inspector went to eat at the restaurant during the year in a damning interview he gave to Le Point. The French chef spoke for the first time about his pain, his depression and thinking the worse since he was given the news abruptly on 20 January. He admitted thinking about committing suicide on several occasions. "I've asked Michelin to show me the proof that they … Continue reading
Mauro Colagreco’s Mirazur is first ever French restaurant to top World’s 50 Best list
It is turning out to be a magical year for Mauro Colagreco. Mirazur, his restaurant in Menton was named the number 1 restaurant at the World Restaurants Awards in Singapore. The top spot may not have come as a big surprise. The Italo-Argentinian chef of restaurant Mirazur in Menton, France has been a rising star for the past years and the only question everyone was asking was whether Noma would make it straight to number 1 or not given El Celler de Can Roca, Eleven Madison and the previous number 1 Osteria Francescana where no longer … Continue reading
No space for legends: The hall of fame of the World’s 50 Best
Massimo Bottura, the last no 1 before the change in rules Roger Federer has won 20 grand slams, Rafael Nadal 18. On the other hand Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray have only managed three each. But they've all been told to go into a hall of fame never to compete in a Grand Slam title again. Of course that’s not the case. Liverpool, the winners of the Champions League this year are also eliminated from next year's champions league and so are the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus. Their only problem is they've won … Continue reading
Q&A with Antonia Klugmann: ‘The way I eat has impacted the way I cook’
Antonia Klugmann is chef of L’Argine a Venco, an acclaimed restaurant with a highly personal and unique cuisine in Venco, Fruili Venezia Giulia on the border with Slovenia. This is the second part of our interview with the Italian chef in the usual Q&A format. What is the best dish you’ve ever made? I hope that I still have to make it. The best dish you’ve ever eaten? I don’t know. I like so many things. Even a fruit that is perfectly matured and is eaten at its best can change your palate for ever. Do you cook at … Continue reading
New Alchemist in Copenhagen to open on 4 July with 50 servings menu
UPDATED: Two years after closing the former Alchemist, head chef and co-owner Rasmus Munk has revealed the features of the new 24,000 sq ft dream restaurant in Copenhagen. The new Alchemist is set to open its 100 sq ft bronze door on 4 July. Bookings open on 22 June. The 27 year old chef opened the former Alchemist in 2015 with a vision of challenging the meal and serve more than just great food. When he designed the new Alchemist in 2016, his initial visions were accompanied by the dream of building a restaurant able to stimulate all the … Continue reading
Massimo Bottura’s Al Meni to return this weekend with ‘green event’ in Rimini
Massimo Bottura, the acclaimed Italian chef is bringing 12 promising international chefs and 12 chefs from his region, Emilia-Romagna to Al Meni for a food festival he created a few years ago. The event takes place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June. Bottura will be directing the 24 chefs who will create magic under the Circo 8½ a giant coloured circus tent, set between the sea and the Grand Hotel that evokes a great master of world cinema: Federico Fellini. They will be the protagonists of 'Al Mèni' (meaning "hands" in Romagna … Continue reading
The World’s 50 Best goes from 100 to 120 restaurants with some perennial favourites dropping from top 50
Riccardo Camanini's Cacio e Pepe. The restaurant Lido 84 has been named as one to watch The World's 50 Best Restaurants list has grown this year from 100 to 120. The list from 51 to 120 was announced today with a number of favourites falling from the top 50. These include Alex Atala's D.O.M., Niko Romito's Reale, Arzak in Spain, Maemmo in Oslo, the Ledbury in London and Nihonryori RyuGin in Tokyo. This year's World 50 Best Restaurants list which will be unveiled next week will not feature the likes of Massimo Bottura, Daniel Humm and … Continue reading
Two brothers from another sea: Kobus van der Merwe cooks in Willem Hiele’s ‘magical world’
Kobus Van der Merwe (left) with Margot Janse (centre) and Willem Hiele Thousands of kilometres separate South Africa from Belgium. But South African Kobus Van der Merwe, chef of Wolfgat and Belgian Willem Hiele, chef of the restaurant by the same name in Belgium have something that connects them to each other. It was therefore no wonder that Alexandra Sweden, who brought them together and introduced them through social media, termed them ‘Brothers from another sea’. Until a few months ago, the two chefs had not met despite a similar … Continue reading
Bar Bulot, new seafood pop-up restaurant by Gert de Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens opens on 27 June
Gert de Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens Bar Bulot, is a new pop-up restaurant that will open in the location of the first Hertog Jan and bistro L.E.S.S. on 27 June. The concept, created by Gert de Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens of Hertog Jan has been created just in time for summer. It is a seafood restaurant that will be open till October before works on a traditional Flemish restaurant they intend to open in the same spot will start. Gert and Joachim hope to open the new restaurant by the end of the year. In the meantime, visitors … Continue reading
Travel to Italy this summer with Cucina Tipica: An Italian Adventure
Cucina Tipica: An Italian Adventure is the story of Jacoby Pines, a disheartened American who arrives in Italy on holiday, and decides he never wants to leave. What follows is a wine-soaked, food-filled, travel-laden adventure about one man’s quest for an antiquated existence in the modern world. This is the third novel by Andrew Cotto, an award-winning author whose regularly contributed to The New York Times and has written for Parade, Men's Journal, Rolling Stone, The Huffington Post and Conde Nast Traveller among others. The story … Continue reading
Antonia Klugmann ‘Today’s problem is speed. It is excessive’
Antonia Klugmann Antonia Klugmann’s cuisine is personal, so personal that when she is invited to a congress or event she closes her restaurant. Being in charge of a small operation in Venco, in Friuli Venezia Giulia on the border with Slovenia means she does not have the luxury of a large team that can work while she is not there. So the decision to become the first ever female judge on Masterchef Italy was huge. When she took the plunge, she decided to close the restaurant for three months. It was an experience that changed her life but … Continue reading
Classic cookbook Great Dishes of the World available online for first time
ckbk, a new service providing digital access to the world’s best cookbooks, today announces that it is making Robert Carrier’s classic cookbook, Great Dishes of the World, available online for the first time. Great Dishes of the World had a huge impact on its publication in 1963, and went on to sell more than 10 million copies in numerous editions. According to cookbook editor Jill Norman, “With Great Dishes of the World, Carrier persuaded readers to look beyond their usual culinary boundaries and to experiment, inspired by … Continue reading
London is Europe’s pizza capital closely followed by Paris according to 50 Top Pizza
London has emerged as Europe's pizza capital in a newly unveiled list of the 50 top pizzeria's in Europe. 50 Kalo, the pizzeria in London which opened in July last year tops the list. The pizzeria of Ciro Salvo is the second one after the one he opened in Naples in 2014. He is the third generation of master pizza makers, Ciro has won accolades from some of the world's best guides. In total, London has 8 pizzerias in the 50 top pizza list closely followed by Paris with 7. Bijou, in Paris placed second while Baest in Copenhagen placed … Continue reading
Recipe by Valentino Cassanelli: Seared scallops with coral carbonara, bitter herbs and sea urchin
Serves 4 For the carbonara sauce 25 g pork cheek, seasoned20 g butter1 clove of garlic80 g scallop coral0.3 g saffron30 g white wine12 g basmati rice200 g fish stock6 g Pecorino Roman0.1 g ground pepper5 g yuzu Brown the garlic clove, the bacon and the coral in the butter, then add the white wine, rice, saffron and fish stock. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Remove the bacon and the garlic and then emulsify with the help of the blender gradually adding the pepper, pecorino and yuzu. Obtain the sauce sift it. Sea urchin … Continue reading
New pop-up by Lionello Cera at the Venice Lido
The Venice Lido Resort Lionello Cera, chef of two Michelin star Antica Osteria Cera in Campagna Lupia, in the Venice countryside is taking over the terrace restaurant of the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort for an exclusive pop-up restaurant which celebrates local cuisine this summer. The pop-up restaurant opened on 1 June together with the opening of the hotel beach. The pop-up is called “Bistrot del Mare by Cera” and is the latest addition to the catering outlets of the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido Resort which also has the Ristorante … Continue reading
Low Food Session: Diversity vital for the future of food
The second Low Food gathering will take place on 4 July Vuurtoreneiland, the Netherlands. Participants will be invited for a day of great stories, speakers and delicious food. Following the success of the Low Food Symposium that was organised in the Amsterdam in January, the Low Food Session is a one day gathering which will bring internationally respected speakers and food that showcases the best of Low Food. Low Food is an initiative of Joris Bijdendijk, Joris Lohman and Samuel Levie. Low Food is an open platform for new ideas and … Continue reading
Pop-up at Souvenir in Gent this summer
Why should a restaurant stay closed when the chef is on holiday? At a time when costs of property and rent are very high globally, wouldn't it be a good idea to give promising staff the potential to flourish? That is what chef William Sigurdarson and his wife Joke Michel have decided to do this summer. They will keep the restaurant open in July while they are away. During July, chef Radu Iliescu will take over the kitchen of Souvenir in Gent, Belgium as he showcases his talent in the setting of Souvenir. They have called the pop-up Radu … Continue reading
New book about Wine in Austria to be launched in December
A new book called Wine in Austria: the History was unveiled recently during this year's edition of the Austrian wine Summit. This is the first time that an academically substantiated and comprehensive volume on the history of viticulture in Austria from prehistoric times to this present day will be published. The book includes an individual chapter devoted to the life and work of Dr Friedrich Zweigelt.More than two and a half years of work went into creating the 500-page book, which was commissioned by Willi Klinger and came to fruition … Continue reading
Cadzand Foodfest to take place on 2 and 3 June
The full line up for the fourth edition of Foodfest which takes place in Cadzand on June 2 and 3 have been announced. The event is organised by chefs Sergio Herman and Syrco Bakker with Iman Soomers. The event will be held on 2 and 3 June in Cadzand at the Martiem Plaza platform next to restaurant AIRrepublic. Four international chefs will cook together with Sergio and Syrco. On Sunday 2 June for lunch, Norbert Niederkofler of Italian 3 Michelin star St Hubertus will cook with Vicky Cheng of VEA Hong Kong. The dinner will feature … Continue reading
North Sea Chefs Netherlands launched following success of Belgian project
North Sea Chefs - The Netherlands was launched on 21 May 2019 at a dinner organised at Pure C in Cadzand. Following the example of Belgian colleagues who founded North Sea Chefs in 2011, a group of Dutch chefs have now joined forces to raise awareness about unknown and unrecognised North Sea fish and by-catch with a view to ensuring sustainable North Sea fishing. North Sea Chefs wants to set an example of how chefs can proactively put the issue of sustainability on the agenda outside the kitchen walls and raise awareness for fishermen, ship … Continue reading
A former Augustinian convent becomes a modern-day sanctuary at August in Antwerp
Photo by Robert Rieger In Antwerp, the people behind renowned boutique hotel 'Hotel Julien' have launched a new hospitality project: August. On the recently developed Military Hospital site, a former Augustinian convent has been converted into a modern-day sanctuary for both Antwerp residents and foreign visitors to enjoy. August re-envisions its historical central function with an open restaurant and a bar, a bespoke hotel with dedicated wellness area, an open air swimming pool and secluded gardens. August consists of 5 different buildings, … Continue reading
Riccardo Camanini’s magical Cacio e Pepe
Riccardo Camanini's Cacio e Pepe is served at table Go back a few years and few people would have known what Cacio e Pepe was. A staple of modern Italian cuisine, its simplicity was such that it was rarely if ever served in restaurants, especially those outside Rome where the dish seems to have originated. It was one of those comfort food dishes that many would eat at home when they lacked inspiration or ingredients. But, over the past few years, the Cacio e Pepe or ‘cheese and pepper’ as one would translate it from Italian, has become … Continue reading