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Written by El Celler de Can Roca has been placed at number one on the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
The award ceremony which took place at the Guildhall in London was attended by the world’s best restaurateurs and chefs.
The Spanish favourite entered the World’s 50 Best list eight years ago and has somewhat stealthily climbed the rankings since. Its relatively low-key rise is reflective of the ‘brothers Roca’ evolutionary approach and modest outlook. The Rocas grew up steeped in their mother’s restaurant in Girona’s working-class suburb of Taiala. In 1986, elder brothers Joan and Josep opened El Celler de Can Roca alongside the original. In 2007 – with younger sibling Jordi on board – they moved just up the road to the striking purpose-built space that remains their home.
Joan Roca while acknowledging that the news was great for El Celler said it was also “a great boost for Spanish cuisine” and it’s ability to “attract tourists”.
Last years winner Nomu finds itself at number two on the list while Heston Blumenthal’s “Fat Duck” dropped out of the Top 20 down to number 33. He need not worry too much as Dinner by Heston Blumenthal retains its Top 10 ranking. “Dinner” mines historical British recipes from as far back as the 14th century and reworks them using contemporary cooking techniques
The highest climber for 2013 is Astrid y Gastón of Lima, Peru up 21 places to number 14.
Regional Awards went to:
Best Restaurant South America: D.O.M
Part chef, part historian, part botanist, Alex Atala champions Brazil’s traditional ingredients and dishes. Familiar European fine dining fare gets a look-in at D.O.M. but often in supporting roles to the likes of cambuca fruit, manioc root and tucupi juice. Atala explores and exploits the country’s rich source of ingredients – particularly the Amazon rainforest – and D.O.M. has been named The Best Restaurant in South America for four years in a row.
Best Restaurant North America: Eleven Madison Park
Chef Daniel Humm and general manager Will Guidara’s sleek Art Deco restaurant offers a masterclass in surprise. From the mysterious string-tied box that kicks off proceedings to the waiter affixing a meat grinder to the table midway through the meal, little can be anticipated. What diners can rely on, however, is a dining experience that is as delightful as it is engaging, with the use of peerless ingredients and top-class cooking, such as a clam dish that comes in two stages.
Best Restaurant Asia: Narisawa
A wild imagination and sense of drama from chef Yoshihiro Narisawa have ensured his restaurant remains one of the best in the world. A dedicated environmentalist, the chef blends classical French cooking techniques with strong flora aesthetics for a sublime manifestation of the country’s natural beauty and bounty. Polished, polite, premeditated and theatrical, the dining experience nevertheless remains rooted in nature – a fact reflected in its Sustainable Restaurant Award
Best Restaurant Australasia: Attica
There are dedicated chefs, and then there’s Ben Shewry. The New Zealand-born 35-year-old often rises before dawn to forage on the shore near his family home in Victoria, before starting the long commute into Melbourne. He’ll stop by local parks and even alleyways, as well as Attica’s own gardens, to pick up more raw materials to prepare meticulously for the restaurant that day. His commitment pays off: the cuisine is both uniquely imaginative and outstandingly good.
The 50 Best Restaurants in the World 2013
1. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain
2. Noma Copenhagen, Denmark
3. Osteria Francescana Modena, Italy
4. Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain
5. Eleven Madison Park New York, USA
6. DOM Sao Paulo, Brazil
7. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London, UK
8. Arzak San Sebastián, Spain
9. Steirereck Vienna, Austria
10. Vendôme Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
11. Per Se New York, USA
12. Frantzén / Lindeberg Stockholm, Sweden
13. The Ledbury London, Great Britain
14. Astrid y Gastón Lima, Peru
15. Alinea Chicago, USA
16. L’Arpege Paris, France
17. Pujol Mexico DF, Mexico
18. Le Chateaubriand, Paris, France
19. Le Bernardin New York, USA
20. Narisawa Tokyo, Japan
21. Attica Melbourne, Australia
22. Ryugin Nihonryori Tokyo, Japan
23. L’Astrance Paris, France
24. L’Atelier Saint-Germain de Joel Robuchon, Paris, France
25. Hof Van Cleve Kruishoutem, Belgium
26. Quique Dacosta Denia, Spain
27. Calandre Rubano, Italy
28. Mirazur Menton, France
29. Daniel New York, USA
30. Aqua Wolfsburg, Germany
31. Biko Mexico DF, Mexico
32. Nahm Bangkok, Thailand
33. The Fat Duck, Bray, UK
34. Faviken Järpen, Sweden
35. Oud Sluis Sluis, Belgium
36. Amber Hong Kong, China
37. Vila Joya Albufeira, Portugal
38. Restaurant Andre Singapore
39. 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana Hong Kong, China
40. Combal.Zero Rivoli, Italy
41. Piazza Duomo Alba, Italy
42. Schloss Schauenstein Fürstenau, Switzerland
43. Mr & Mrs Bund Shanghai, China
44. Grill Etxebarri Atxondo, Spain
45. Geranium Copenhagen, Denmark
46. Mani São Paulo, Brazil
47. The French Laundry Yountville, USA
48. Quay Sydney, Australia
49. Septime, Paris, France
50. Central Lima, Peru
