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 Thailand, Sazenka in Japan, Willem Hiele in Belgium, Brat in the UK, El Chato in Colombia, Le Clarence in France, Ikoyi in the UK, Mil in Peru, Fyn in South Africa, Kjolle in Peru and L'Effervesence in Japan. It is still early to draw conclusions on the full list given the top 50 still need to be known. However, there are three restaurants that have clearly fallen from the top 50. These are Schloss Shauenstein, De Librije and … Continue reading
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Franco Pepe gets the Best Chef Pizza award
Franco Pepe is to pizza what Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo are to football. His work at Pepe in Grani has now be recognised recognised by the Best Chef Awards who awarded him with the Best Chef Pizza price at the 2021 Best Chef Awards that took place in Amsterdam earlier this week. This award highlights the key role the Italian pizzaiolo has had on the international scene. Franco Pepe is one of the most well-known and highly regarded pizzaiolos in the world. For generations, his family has been linked to the gastronomic world and to the art of making bread. But Franco reinvented himself and created a whole new approach, one that is visionary and unique, focusing on one of Italy’s most famous and iconic dishes: pizza. For the first time ever, a Pizzaiolo is being recognized for his work in the context of fine dining and haute cuisine. “Receiving this award is extremely important to me. I’m so proud that my work is being recognized internationally alongside the world’s best … Continue reading
Chefs United: A big event at Bon Bon in Brussels
Christophe Hardiquest and his Brussels restaurant Bon Bon is not new to big and ambitious events. A few years ago, he welcomed some of the World’s best chefs for a GELINAZ! Brussels Headquarters event that played over four shifts. Now, on the occasion of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards taking place in Antwerp in October, he has invited a number of chefs for a one night dinner called Chefs United. Together, the chefs will create a 10 course menu that is expected to create an electric atmosphere. The event takes place on Wednesday 6 October. On the evening Christophe will cook a 10 course dinner together with chefs Himanshu Saini, Maksut Askar, Manu Buffara, Norbert Niederkofler, Selassie Atadika, Riccardo Camanini, Brussels chocolatier Pierre Marcolini, Ana Ros and Paolo Griffa. Bookings will open tomorrow at 11am from the website. This is not the first time that Ana Ros cooks at Bon Bon. She had already been present for a series of events that Christophe Hardiquest … Continue reading
Why everyone rooted for Noma and Redzepi
They say life is not about reaching the destination but rather about the journey. So it must have felt ironic for René Redzepi and his team to clinch a third Michelin star that has been eluding them for the past years in what was probably been the most difficult year for the restaurant. Social media was on fire as the food world applauded a decision that for many has come way too late. Noma’s photo of the three Michelin stars had over 100,000 likes and over 4,000 comments congratulating the restaurant. Instagram stories were on fire as was my Facebook feed. Rarely has there been such accolades and genuine celebration for a chef and restaurant. The last one that comes to mind was Mauro Colagreco of Restaurant Mirazur in France. Every year, pundits awaited the announcement thinking this would be Noma and Redzepi’s year only to be left wondering what the restaurant needed to change to finally clinch the most important accolade in the world of gastronomy. Not that Redzepi and … Continue reading
Chef Dabiz Muñoz wins the Top100, followed by Björn Frantzen and Andoni Luis Aduriz
Chef Dabiz Muñoz of DiverXo in Madrid won The Best Chef Top100 Award during a live awards gala that took place in Amsterdam. Chef Björn Frantzén of Frantzén in Stockholm repeated his second place and also took the award for The Best Chef voted by Chefs. To round up the top three, Andoni Luis Aduriz of Mugaritz in San Sebastián made a huge jump from his previous 45th position on last year's list, to clinch the third spot. “Getting the number one in the Best Chef Awards is the biggest joy. An incredible pride and responsibility. For me, The Best Chef Award is one of the most prestigious publications in the world today, and an award like this is a dream come true. It recognizes many years of creativity, dedication, passion and hard work. The last years in the Xo world have been very intense and brutal, but my team and I are clear that this is only the beginning, and the best is yet to come. There are no limits in sight," said Dabiz Muñoz from restaurant DiverXo in Madrid, Spain, the … Continue reading
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Ikoyi is restaurant to watch 2021
The World's 50 Best Restaurants announced that the winner of the American Express One to Watch Award 2021 is London's Ikoyi, co-founded by childhood friends Jeremy Chan and Iré Hassan-Odukale. The award recognises a restaurant that is considered to be a rising star on the global dining scene and aims to recognise and celebrate gastronomic excellence and innovation. The restaurant was developed after an initial conversation Chan and Hassan-Odukale had that ignited a spark around the possibilities of African-inspired food. A period of intensive research ensued and what ultimately emerged was a series of dishes with unique international … Continue reading
‘Belgium for Foodies’ gourmet guide launched by Luster
Next month, Belgium will be in the spotlight as it hosts The World 50 Best Restaurants awards in the city of Antwerp. There has never been a better time to launch a guide for foodies. In Belgium for Foodies, culinary journalist and food writer Femke Vandevelde has gathered some of the best places to eat and drink in Belgium. This guide is different from many others. It encourages you to discover places that you might even think about from fantastic food shops to top restaurants and cafes as well as extraordinary locations to dine in. It features not just fine dining restaurants but also where to eat local specialities. Tony De Luc … Continue reading
Michelin works in mysterious ways: Noma finally clinches 3 stars
COPENHAGEN: Noma, the acclaimed restaurant of René Redzepi, considered by many as one of the most influential restaurants, if not the most influential restaurant of the last decade has finally clinched 3 Michelin stars. It has been one of the most mysterious questions among food lovers as to how noma had never received 3 stars in its 18 year history. But Michelin has finally solved the conundrum by awarding noma three Michelin stars. In its note, it says René Redzepi’s urban oasis Noma has a strong connection to nature and its holistic approach sees unusual seasonal ingredients showcased in creative and complex dishes. "The … Continue reading
The return of Table d’Amis and a new pizzeria
KORTRIJK: Matthieu Beudaert and Sofie Delbeke are not afraid of change. Two years after closing gastronomic restaurant Tables D'Amis and after their successful opening of Trattoria La Bicicletta they are again embarking on a new chapter in the Belgian city of Kortrijk. After having served 1366 pasta dishes with truffle, grilled 1753 entrecotes and sold 4888 arancini during the COVID-19 pandemic they have announced the closure of their highly popular Trattoria La Bicicletta. This will make way for a return to a gastronomic restaurant Table d'Amis and Pizza Sofia, a new project by Sofie Delbeke who is determined to take Neapolitan … Continue reading
Area Talks to feature discussions on the future of fine dining and sustainability among others
Amsterdam: Area Talks will feature discussions on the future of fine dining, the dark and bright sides of gastronomy, dutch gastronomy and sustainability. The talks will take place on September 14 as part of The Best Chef Awards that will take place in Amsterdam. After last year's #VIRTUAL2020 edition, chefs, foodies, journalists, and experts from the culinary world will meet in person to share knowledge and discuss these four topics. “We are convinced that discussion is really important and we aim to encourage experts like chefs, scientists, business owners, producers, journalists or any other, to exchange knowledge and learn from … Continue reading
Michelin Stars II – Nordic By Nature to feature at the San Sebastian film festival
Michelin Stars II - Nordic by Nature will feature at the Culinary Zinema: Film and Gastronomy section at the 69th edition of the San Sebastian International Film Festival. Nordic By Nature is a culinary documentary filmed over an 18 month period that follows the endearing and brutal destiny and everyday life of the Faroe Islands and its culinary pearl KOKS, helmed by chef Poul Andrias Ziska. While the COVID-19 pandemic forced people to focus on core values and what was important, for Ziska and the restaurant this was nothing new. The two Michelin starred restaurant is situated in a low ceiling farmhouse with grass on the roof. It is … Continue reading
Gault & Millau Belgian chef of the year to release recipe book in October
Christophe Pauly, Belgian chef of the year 2021 of the guide Gault & Millau will publish his first recipe book Le Coq aux Champs on 14 October. The book, named after his restaurant, will capture some of the restaurant dishes that have made it one of the best tables to dine in Wallonia (the south of Belgium). Apart from some of the classics, Christophe will also showcase his creativity and harmony in the recipes. His cuisine is always focused on excellent produce that surrounds him. There are more than 100 recipes in the book which are easy to recreate and where the focus is on the quality of the product. You can try the carrots … Continue reading
All good things take time: GELINAZ Silent Voices returns with a bang
The sun was setting at Tenuta di Valgiano on the rolling hills above Lucca. GELINAZ! Stay in Tour Silent Voices was about to come to life. Months of hard work, stress all came together to create what turned out to be a magical evening. All good things take time. The first Silent Voices Chapter 1 took place in November 2020 with restaurants mainly in Asia since restaurants there were not facing any lockdown restructions. In other places, however, the event had to be postponed not once but twice because of the pandemic. Originally pencilled for the end of January, it was later pencilled in for spring before it finally took place in a number … Continue reading
ADMO: Alain Ducasse, Albert Adria and Romain Meder’s Paris restaurant is 100 day Pop-up
PARIS: The much awaited restaurant by Alain Ducasse, Albert Adria and Romain Meder will open on 10 November. The ADMO project, as the venture is called will be a 100 day pop-up and is located at the Les Ombres restaurant at the Quai Branly museum in Paris. The much awaited restaurant will celebrate the unprecedented encounter between Spanish and French cuisines and is united by the same conscious and sustainable approach. The ADMO project is expected to be one of the year's most anticipated openings. Bookings for the restaurant open on 10 September. The bookings will be possible through the Les Ombres restaurant website. Ducasse … Continue reading
Soilmates to organise series of events in Brussels in September
BRUSSELS: Brussels will host the second edition of Soilmates on 12 and 13 September. This will include a series of events committed to improve the way we think of the hidden – and living – world beneath our feet. The Soilmates collective aims to create a paradigm shift in which the living earth becomes the centre of the culinary and artistic experience, rather than the chef, artist or farmer. The movement was created by restaurant owners Caroline Baerten and Nicolas Decloedt (Humus & Hortense), farmer Dries Delanote (Le Monde des Mille Couleurs) and creative designer Alexandra Swenden (Swenden Studio). The collective has been joined … Continue reading
Michelin UK changes way it reveals new restaurants in the guide
The Michelin Guide in the UK has announced a new approach to revealing its restaurant recommendations making it more modern and more agile. Away from the constraints of a physical publication, the Michelin guide will be releasing some of its newest additions to the guide ahead of the annual launch event. This will be done on a monthly basis, on the last Wednesday of every month. The first restaurants to make it to the new guide were released on Wednesday 25 August. They feature both on the website and the app. Restaurant entries are being highlighted with a ‘New’ symbol for easy identification and the restaurants will also be presented … Continue reading
Flanders Finest promises to be a spectacular culinary evening
ANTWERP: Ten Belgian chefs from Flanders will be kicking off a festive week around The World's 50 Best Restaurants with what promises to be a spectacular culinary event called Flanders Finest. The World's 50 Best Restaurants will be held in October. On Friday 1 October, 10 of Belgium's top chefs will prepare a 10 course dinner that will be bring together some of the leading three and two Michelin star chefs in the country. This is a first for Flanders as these chefs, which total 23 Michelin stars between them, will cook together for the first time. The event takes place at the brand new Botanic Sanctuary hotel which opens in Antwerp … Continue reading
‘The quality of the fish and seafood in Malta has been outstanding’ – Alex Dilling
VALLETTA: Chef Alex Dilling was probably at the peak of his career at The Greenhouse when the pandemic hit and the restaurant ended up closing for good. The Greenhouse was the talk of the town in London and in global food circles because of Dilling’s cuisine and precise focus on quality ingredients. During the lockdown, he was working on creating new dishes and was focused on getting back to the kitchen as soon as possible but it was not to be as news of the closure of one of the most famous restaurants in London spread like wild fire in the ‘small food world’. While that was extremely bad news for Alex and his London team, it was very … Continue reading
New uniforms for Hisa Franko as Ana Ros enters collaboration with designer Matea Benedetti
Ana Ros, chef of Hisa Franko and Matea Benedetti, a Slovenian award-winning fashion designer have created a new range of uniforms for the restaurant which not only use non-animal textiles but also reflect both their deep love for nature. "The new uniforms of the service team reflect the soul of the restaurant and the beautiful environment the restaurant is part of," Ana Ros said about the new collaboration. Ana and Matea met through a common friend and they immediately understood each other and became friends which was no surprise. Matea said: "It is because we both have the same deep love for nature." Ana said she had been following … Continue reading
Meat or no meat and food in space are this year’s Food meets Science topics
Food meets Science is one of the main events that will be organised as part of The Best Chef Awards taking place on 13 September in Amsterdam. The conference will connect the world of science and gastronomy. The event will include cooking shows and presentations that focus on two main subjects, Food and Space and Meat - No Meat. “Science is an amazing tool to educate and to have a better understanding of things in the culinary world. With that knowledge, farmers, producers, chefs and even guests can make better and more conscious decisions about what they grow, how the fish, what they produce or buy, how they cook and what they eat just … Continue reading
When wine and food are in perfect symbiosis
Jonathan K. Berntsen is not just a chef but also a sommelier. Hit by the terrible year his Michelin-starred restaurant CLOU had to close but he has now returned with The Samuel, a restaurant located in an old historical villa from 1891 north of Copenhagen in Hellerup. What makes Jonathan special is that for him food and wine are in symbiosis and hence they need to be precisely equally weighted. These means that he often selects the wines before creating the dishes. This devotion to pairing has been acknowledged with numerous awards such as winning the Copa Jerez 2013 and again at the Copa Jerez 2019; the most prestigious international … Continue reading
Highlights
Gelinaz! returns louder, bigger and ‘hopefully bolder’ on August 29 with 150 chefs in 25 cities worldwide
Over 150 chefs in 25 cities worldwide will join forces to conclude the last chapter of the Grand GELINAZ! Shuffle Stay in Tour. What started on 3 December will be finalised on 29 August when some of the world's greatest chefs pay tribute to chefs that have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic either because their restaurant was forced to close or because they were in between projects. GELINAZ! curator Andrea Petrini, a food writer par excellence told Food and Wine Gazette that this event has been the most complicated to organise. "The … Continue reading
Hélène Darroze at Villa La Coste opens as part of new partnership near Aix-en-Provence
This is a special year for Hélène Darroze. Fresh from the recently awarded three stars in the Michelin guide for her London restaurant Hélène Darroze at The Connaught" and two stars for "Marsan par Hélène Darroze" in Paris she has now announced a partnership to take over the entire food and beverage operations of Villa La Coste, a grand luxury hotel in Provence, France. She will be serving a cuisine in her image, imbued with emotion, sincerity and authenticity. Nestled at the heart of the Château La Coste Estate near Aix-en-Provence, the … Continue reading
Belgium and Luxembourg Michelin Guide to go digital in 2022
MONS: The 2022 edition of the Belgium and Luxembourg Michelin Guide will only be available in digital format, the guide has announced. The presentation of the guide and results will be announced on 21 February at the Royal Theatre in the city of Mons. Announcements for Belgium and Luxembourg used to take place late in the year but the guide announced that this new edition will be held in February to enable the inspectors and Michelin Guide team to have more time to visit restaurants given the difficult context linked to the COVID-19 … Continue reading
Onigiri for love: A project by Yoshiro Narisawa and Hisato Hamada
Two Japanese chefs Yoshiro Narisawa of Restaurant Narisawa and Hisato Hamada of Wagyumafia have teamed up together for a charity project called Onigiri for love. While collaborating on a recent project together, both chefs discovered a common love for sake and onigiri - a handmade Japanese rice ball. The onigiri is a simple yet very meaningful traditional comfort food. It is typically made by a loved one - most people in Japan have fond childhood memories of their mother preparing one for school lunch or as a snack. A symbol of love … Continue reading
Sergio Herman and Foodfest open mussels and fries pop-up restaurant in Zeebrugge
ZEEBRUGGE: Sergio Herman has opened a pop-up mussels and fries restaurant on the beach of Zeebrugge in Belgium. The restaurant Moules//Frites opened on 1 July and will remain open till 15 August. It is being organised by FoodFest set up by Sergio Herman and Syrco Bakker to organise a festival in Cadzand. Last year, Foodfest also opened a pop-up store in Antwerp bringing some of Sergio and Syrco's delicacies to Belgian foodies. Under a spacious tent, 120 guests will be able to enjoy lunch or dinner in a relaxed atmosphere with music, wines … Continue reading
Redzepi launches two garums as part of new Noma Projects
Fermentation and garums have been one of the sources of success of Noma as it shifted to a more vegetable based cuisine over the years. Now, two of their favourite garums will be available to the general public as part of a venture to help people bring more vegetables into their everyday cooking. Chef Rene Redzepi and his team have used the time during lockdown to create a new venture called Noma Projects which aims to share all their accumulated knowledge, craft and experimentation in this new project. "We will be launching products for … Continue reading
Second chapter of GELINAZ! Silent voices on tour starts in Vienna
VIENNA: The second chapter of the GELINAZ! Silent voices on tour will be held on 11 July. The collective of chefs headed by Andrea Petrini and Patricia Meunier returns after a forced pause because of lockdowns making the organisation of such dinners impossible. The first chapter was held last December in various cities around the world and while the European leg was scheduled for the end of January, the pandemic wrecked havoc with those plans. Now, the Healthy Boy Band, three Austrian chefs who have been embracing improvisation and anarchy, … Continue reading
Austria’s first digital wine atlas released
All the origins of Austrian wine have been catalogued in a new website austrianvineyards.com, a first a wine-producing country. No other wine-producing country has ever catalogued all the origins of its wines and presented them in such a detailed way. Alongside the digital version, new single vineyard maps of all winegrowing regions are now available in printed form, showing all single vineyards that have been legally defined as such. The level of detail and cartographic standards also represent a milestone for the Austrian wine … Continue reading
Dinner in the Woods: a new gastronomic experience in Brussels
BRUSSELS: The Bois de la Cambre is the green lung of the city. It is also a major traffic throughfare that connects the south of the city to the centre. It is the local's best kept secret, few tourists who venture to Europe's capital know that the city is full of parks, woods and even forests and fewer venture to this part of Brussels. The closure of the Bois de la Cambre to traffic last year caused an uproar. While, it gave much needed respite to locals in the days of lockdown, once restrictions were relaxed, drivers were angry with its … Continue reading
Alchemist tops OAD Europe Top Restaurant list
Alchemist by Rasmus Monk was crowned best restaurant in Europe in the Opinionated About Dining list released on Monday evening. This is the first time ever that a Danish restaurant tops the OAD-Europe list. Second was Restaurant Frantzen in Stockholm, Sweden followed by Etxebarri in Axpe, Spain, Andreas Caminada in Furstenau, Switzerland and Lido 84 in Gardone Riviera, Italy. Speaking about the top award, Steven Plotnicki, founder of the OAD-list said “it an amazing accomplishment for someone who is only 30 years old. Diners are … Continue reading
Reale reopens as Romito aims to make fine-dining more accessible
CASTEL DI SANGRO: Niko and Cristiana Romito have reopened their 3 Michelin star restaurant Reale on 10 June and have decided to pursue the route they took last year. They want to make their cuisine and restaurant more inclusive and also a reflection of the chef’s vision of what it means to eat well today. “Each of us is a child of our own experience. Whether we like it or not, it determines the attitude and approach towards the choices that shape our future,” said Niko on the reopening of the restaurant. After this long pause, I feel a … Continue reading
Ultra-Violet by Paul Pairet retains top spot in OAD Top 100 Asia for third year
HONG KONG: Ultra-Violet by Paul Pairet, a single table experimental restaurant in Shanghai, China that unites creative cuisine with multi-sensory technology is the top restaurant of the Opinionated About Dining Asia list. The restaurant retains the first place for the third consecutive year. It is the first restaurant of its kind in the world and has been open since 2012. French chef Pairet has continuously challened diners' preconceived notions of taste and cuisine. The Top 100+ Asia Restaurants of 2020 was unveiled by global ranking … Continue reading
The Best Chef Awards 2021 candidates announced
AMSTERDAM: The new 100 candidates from around the world for the 5th The Best Chef Awards have been announced. The event takes place on September 13, 14 and 15 in Amsterdam. Together with the currently ranked chefs, this year's Top 100 will be selected through voting by all 200 chefs as well as a group of anonymous professionals as from this week. The system was changed this year. As from February 25, and for 100 days, the Best Chef announced one candidate per day in no specific order via their social media channels. "This year, we have a … Continue reading
Two Sicilian chefs make it to top tier, Jessica Rosval is female chef of the year
Two Sicilian chefs have made it to the top echelons of Italian cuisine according to Italian food guide Guida del' Espresso. The Italian guide, whose editor is Enzo Vissari, is highly influential and many times has spotted 'talent' before other more international guides recognises chefs and restaurants. Ciccio Sultano and Pino Cuttaia, chefs of Duomo di Ragusa and La Madia in Licata join the top chefs tier together with David Oldani of D'O di Cornaredo in Milan. There are now 13 restaurants in total with the '5 hats'. These are Casadonna … Continue reading
Nick Bril and Sergio Herman part ways: Bril takes full ownership of The Jane Antwerp
ANTWERP: After partnering up for seven years at The Jane Antwerp, Sergio Herman and Nick Bril have decided to part ways. Nick Bril will take over 100 per cent of the restaurant's operational rights after the Dutch duo successfully creating one of the most stunning restaurants in the world. In 2013, the two chefs decided to start work on designing the restaurant concept for their project, their first venture outside the Netherlands set in the stunning military chapel of the so-called Groen Kwartier in Antwerp. The two met when Nick Bril … Continue reading
Two new restaurants for Carlo Cracco in Milan and Portofino
MILAN: Italian chef Carlo Cracco has opened a second Milan restaurant last month inside the Hotel Excel Naviglio Milano and will open his third in Portofino in Liguria in June. “I had to close two restaurants, I have opened one new one and a second will be in Porto Fino so I hope to be at a par again. The pandemic has all hit us hard. We could complain and discuss on many things but I am from Veneto and we have always been taught that instead of complaining you should be working on the future,” Carlo said. He was answering a question by … Continue reading
Alex Dilling to cook in Malta for 100 days
VALLETTA: ION The Harbour has announced that Alex Dilling, the executive chef of the former highly acclaimed two Michelin star restaurant The Greenhouse, in Mayfair, London will begin a 100 day residency at the restaurant in Malta. From 18 June, Alex Dilling will bring a new level of culinary skills to both Malta and ION - The Harbour. Bookings will open on 4 June. "After a challenging year, I am very excited to step back into the kitchen in a completely new environment, and more importantly in a new terroir," Dilling said. "Meeting … Continue reading
The art of making the perfect risotto with Carlo Cracco
Italian chef Carlo Cracco needs no introduction. Veneto born, he worked with Gualtiero Marchesi and Alain Ducasse before making a name for himself in various restaurants before venturing on his own and opening various restaurants including his flagship Ristorante Cracco restaurant in Milan. When you think about Italy and its food, the first thing that comes to mind wis certainly pasta. But risotto would come a close second. Carlo Cracco grew up in a region famous for its Vialone Nano rice variety but when he moved to Milan he learned that the … Continue reading
Why we should be rooting for Daniel Humm and his decision to go fully plant-based
When Eleven Madison Park, New York reopens on 10 June, it will be the world’s first three Michelin star plant-based restaurant. Will it retain three stars when Michelin inspectors visit again? Will they make an exception? Will they see this as the sign of the times? And more importantly, can Daniel Humm reinvent himself as the world’s leading vegetable and plant-based chef having reached the pinnacle already once? For those who don’t know Daniel Humm, he is chef and today the owner of Eleven Madison Park, a three Michelin star restaurant in … Continue reading
‘Casse-Croute’ by Karen Torosyan to slowly come to an end with final service on 29 May
BRUSSELS: Casse Croute, the 'takeaway' service of Bozar chef Karen Torosyan which regaled Brussels and Belgians with his renowned 'pies' throughout the pandemic will slowly come to an end. The chef who decided not to open the Bozar Restaurant's terrace and wait until he is allowed to serve guests indoors in June said that the last Casse-Croute service will end on Saturday 28 May. After that, he and his team will be taking a week off before focusing on the opening of the restaurant. Karen Torosyan told Food and Wine Gazette he did not want … Continue reading
Dreaming big: Nothing is impossible for Kristian Brask Thomsen
As a master storyteller, Kristian Brask Thomsen leaves the best for the end. He is walking the streets of Barcelona clad in a mask when we speak. I’d love to do the same but have to take notes and record the conversation. I haven’t yet found a way to do it on foot. They say that creativity flows on long walks and soon after we end, he sends me a snapshot of the number of steps he’s walked while we were speaking, over 10,000. The Danish communications guru and organiser of impossible events has two huge projects up his sleeve when I ask him … Continue reading
Alchemist reloaded: “It is almost like opening a new restaurant”
An introspective live music performance, a surreal pink disco experience and edible impressions that include ant-cheese, pig’s blood and raw jellyfish. These are some of the new items on the menu as Copenhagen restaurant Alchemist once again opened its doors on May 4. ”It almost feels like opening a brand-new restaurant”, says Head Chef and co-owner Rasmus Munk about the approaching premiere. Having faced 8 months of lockdown during the restaurant’s first two years, Rasmus Munk is more than eager to once again run a house buzzing with staff, … Continue reading
A six-star food truck as Mauro Colagreco visits Alexandre Mazzia in Marseille
On Sunday 9 May, in Marseille, Alexandre Mazzia, chef of restaurant AM in Marseille, the latest three Michelin star restaurant in France welcomes Mauro Colagreco for a one-off four hands dinner on the food-truck he has created during the pandemic to sell his ‘jewels’ at lunch. It is a special brunch that will start at the food truck with a glass of champagne and a few finger foods prepared by the two chefs before guests will be able to ‘take away’ their food and eat elsewhere. “This will be a special four hands where you will be able to … Continue reading
The Jane launches new concept Terrazza J’Enoteca
ANTWERP: Restaurant The Jane in Antwerp is one of the most stunning restaurants in the world. Housed inside a former church, it has been one of the hardest tables to get before the pandemic struck. But with restaurants still closed for guests inside and only terraces being allowed to reopen on 8 May in Belgium, chef Nick Bril and his team have created a new concept called Terrazza J’Enoteca. “We are striving for an accessible yet refined concept with some great dishes, exquisite drinks, good vibes, some music (Nick Bril is also an acclaimed … Continue reading
Eleven Madison Park goes plant-based
NEW YORK: Fifteen months after closing their dining room, Daniel Humm, chef of Eleven Madison Park, the highly acclaimed New York restaurant will turn plant-based or vegan. The chef said that when the restaurant reopens on 10 June, every dish will be made from vegetables, both from the earth and the sea, as well as fruits, legumes, fungi, grains and more. “In the midst of last year, when we began to imagine what Eleven Madison Park would look like after the pandemic we realised not only that the world had changed but also that we had … Continue reading
World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards to be held in Antwerp in October
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 awards will be hosted in Antwerp, Belgium on 5 October. Returning after a year’s stop in 2020 due to the global pandemic, an extensive event programme hosted in Flanders will culminate in the awards ceremony in Antwerp.. The organisers have said that the new 2021 ranking, which will be unveiled as part of the gala ceremony will take into account recent and ongoing travel limitations and dining restrictions by combining the votes cast in both early 2020 and 2021. The annual restaurants list is … Continue reading
Emilie Qvist Kjaergaard: A chef’s quest to open a restaurant in the middle of nowhere
Young chef Emilie Qvist Kjaergaard is opening a restaurant in the middle of nowhere and has impressed even René Redzepi for her courage. The 26 year old Danish chef, who has accumulated experience in places like Amass and Relae in Copenhagen and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York went to a small fishing town in the northern part of Jutland for the first time in February and will be opening a restaurant there next month. "It is a fishing village in the middle of nowhere. There is nothing but a harbour and 2,000 inhabitants. But instead … Continue reading
“I’d rather be stable and work hard for five years to catch up financially” – René Redzepi
COPENHAGEN: When Noma reopens on 1 June it will be a special reopening despite the difficulties the restaurant has faced over the past months. With most of the team dispersed around the four corners of the world. René Redzepi has decided to wait for the reopening despite the financial and mental hardships of the past few months. And for the first day, he is inviting 100 guests who have made a difference in people’s lives throughout the pandemic. “At first we called hospitals and asked to invite doctors but they told us that this was not … Continue reading
Three-month residency at Mandala Club, Singapore for Mirazur
Mirazur is set to launch an exclusive 3-month residency in Singapore at Mandala Club. From the 14th May until the 11th August 2021 and for the first time in South East Asia, the Mirazur team will take over KIN and Clan Cafe at Mandala Club and offer guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the exceptional cuisine of Mirazur. This is the first time that Mauro Colagreco returns to Singapore after clinching the top spot in the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Located in Menton, France on the stunning Côte d'Azur, Mirazur is … Continue reading
Pass the baton: Relae has a new future
COPENHAGEN: Christian Puglisi, chef and owner of restaurants Relae, Manfreds, Baest, Mirabelle Bakery and Mirabelle Restaurant is one of the industry's top innovators. And he has proven it yet again with a new idea that will enable young chefs to prove their worth as he leaves them in the steering wheel. After deciding to close the restaurant last year, the chef of Relae and Manfreds has decided to give young talented chefs the opportunity to step onto a big stage. "I will leave my restaurant Relae in your hands if that is so. For 3 … Continue reading
El Barri, Albert Adria’s dream closes because of COVID-19
BARCELONA: El Barri, Albert Adria's dream, which he built together with the Iglesias brothers is being dissolved. The restaurant group of the Iglesias brothers which also comprises a partnership with Albert Adria that includes the el Barri group of restaurants (Tickets, Hoja Santa, Pakta and Bodega 1900) has declared bankruptcy according to Spanish press. El Barri was Albert Adria's dream to keep Barcelona in the international culinary limelight after the closure of the legendary el Bulli. The future of the restaurants is not yet known. … Continue reading
Two new restaurants awarded with a Michelin star in Malta
MALTA: Two restaurants have been awarded with a Michelin star in Malta bringing the total number of Michelin starred restaurants on the island to 5. Chef Andrew Borg and his team clinched one star for the newly opened ION - The Harbour in Valletta. On the other hand, chef Tyron Mizzi and his team at Bahia in the small village of Lija in the centre of the island is the other new entry. These restaurants join the existing one star restaurants that retained their star for the second consecutive year. These are De Mondion, Noni and Under … Continue reading
UnBOXed: Four chefs, one dinner
BRUSSELS: Cédric Allard, a story teller and foodie has created unBOXed, a way to reinvent gastronomy at home. He has brought together four chefs from two Michelin star restaurants in Belgium and Luxembourg to create a unique menu that will be served on three separate days May. The four chefs are Tim Boury of Boury Restaurant, Nick Bril of The Jane, David Martin of La Paix and Cyril Molard of Ma Langue Sourit have worked together to create different dishes for the 'box'. Artist Denis Meyes is also part of the project. The unBOXed concept … Continue reading
2017 vintage of first Grand Cru from Himalayas released
Ao Yun, the first Grand cru from the Himalayas has released its 2017 vintage on 22 March. Ao Yun was born from a dream that began in 2008 to create a unique, world class fine wine in China. It is the first wine of its kind and brings a new region - Yunnan to the world winemaking map. The 2017 vintage boasts a concentrated yet fresh and velvety blend that symbolizes the wine that is made in a challenging climate. "Despite the challenging climate, the vintage is a reflection of the work we carry out in the vineyard and in our winemaking," said … Continue reading
Time to change at Jordnær: two families, one mission – well-being
Tina and Eric Kragh Vildgaard of restaurant Jordnær, a two Michelin star restaurant created inside a humble three-starred hotel in the suburbs of Copenhagen have been reflecting a lot over the past months during the time that restaurants have been closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Danish government announced the date of the reopening of restaurants on May 6th, the restaurant will open only four days a week and in particular not on the weekend making it one of the only restaurants in Scandinavia, if not the only one to take … Continue reading
Viewing Italy through a new culinary lens – Laura Lazzaroni on the New Cucina Italiana
Laura Lazzaroni may not win a lot of friends when she says that it is time to metaphorically kill the ‘nonna’ or grandmother philosophy. But she has a point. She writes about it in the introduction to her new book The New Cucina Italiana: What to Eat, What to Cook and Who to Know in Italian Cuisine published by Rizzoli New York. “I meant it to be shocking to get the point across. Of course we all love our nonne (grandmothers) and they are extremely important. Our younger generation of chefs are respectful of tradition but they’re also … Continue reading
The New Cucina Italiana: a book that takes us to Italy at a time when we cannot travel
What do you think of when you think about Italian food? Some might think about pizza, spaghetti al pomodoro, cacio e pepe or carbonara. Or even of dishes that have been created outside Italy but which have little to do with what Italians really eat. But that is far from what a new movement of Italian chefs are working on. For those like me who follow the Italian scene rather closely some of the names of this movement may sound familiar. For others, these are chefs that are still under the radar but who are slowly but surely establishing … Continue reading
Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura to open in Tokyo later this year
TOKYO: There is still no date set for the opening of Gucci Osteria Tokyo, a contemporary Italian restaurant created by one of the world's leading luxury fashion brand Gucci and world renowned chef Massimo Bottura. This will be the third outpost for Gucci Osteria. The first one was opened in January 2018 in Florence, Italy at the Gucci Garden. The second in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles opened in February last year. The third restaurant will open in Ginza later this year. It will be located on the top floor of Gucci Namiki - Gucci’s latest … Continue reading
Side by Sight: Three restaurants in collaboration with The Hotel Brussels
Three chefs from the L’Air du Temps group of restaurants which have restaurants in Brussels have teamed up with The Hotel Brussels to offer safe dinners at the hotel given that the restaurants in Belgium remain closed. From March 25 to April 24, chefs Valerie Borriero of San Sablon, Toshiro Fujii of restaurant Toshiro and Kevin Perlot of restaurant VerTige will take turns taking over the kitchens of The Hotel Brussels to share the values and vision of their Brussels restaurants. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, they will each offer a … Continue reading
Ta’ Betta Winery: ‘The ride of a lifetime’
What makes two professionals, highly respected in their fields put all their life savings into a project to create a boutique winery in Malta making top quality wines? How do they find the time to manage a wine business despite their professional commitments? That’s the story of Dr Astrid Camilleri, a gynaecologist and Prof. Juanito Camilleri a former University rector and former CEO of a mobile operator who have set up the Ta’ Betta Winery in Malta with the aim of making fine wines with personality that have ageing potential. “It’s a long … Continue reading