The first 50 restaurants of the chef and industry-curated “The World’s 50 Best” list were just released, and its actually a ranking of 100 restaurants. Widely anticipated as one of the most exciting revelations of the year for fine dining fans, the list will be dissected by chefs, diners and the media for weeks to come. "The World's 50 Best" is a welcome change to restaurant rankings in recent years, as many feel it’s more judicious and in-touch than the current Michelin system is. This is due to its focus on restaurant industry professionals’ opinions and research rather than the whims of independent judges.
New to this year’s list is New York celebrated newcomer, Cosme, appearing in the rankings for the first time at No. 96. Helmed by chef Enrique Olvera, who was profiled in the latest season of Netflix’s Chef’s Table, his other restaurant, Pujol, is expected to climb the ranks in the 1-50 category, which will be released Monday, June 13. Another surprise were the two most famous restaurants of American chef Thomas Keller’s, Per Se in New York and The French Laundry. Both were moved out of the 1-50 category and into 51-100 at No. 52 and 85, respectively. South Africa, which is currently not rated by the Michelin guide, saw its own newcomer with La Colombe, clocking in at No. 76.
We’re excited to see where our South African favorites, Test Kitchen and The Tasting Room come in next week, if they appear on the list at all, as they have in the past. Another thing to watch out for is, of course, the number one designation: will Spain’s El Celler de Can Roca retain the top spot? The competition is stiff, and the current world favorite has jockeyed with Denmark’s Noma for the past several years now. One thing is certain—we’ll have to wait for Monday to find out.
