Returning to London for its 20th anniversary edition, 50 Best welcomed guests to the UK capital between 15th-18th July. Chefs, restaurateurs and food lovers from across the world reunited for the event programme to celebrate The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.
From fascinating presentations at #50BestTalks, a top-tier collaboration dining series and euphoric award winners at the anticipated awards ceremony, catch up on the action with these 28 photo-led highlights
1. The cream of the gastronomic world lands in London
From 15th July, chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and guests touched down in London for the celebrated gastronomic event of the year: The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022. The list was unveiled at an awards ceremony in Old Billingsgate, the city’s former fish market, three days later.
2. Chef Tim Raue dazzles at Goddard & Gibbs
Chef Tim Raue (whose eponymous restaurant ranked No.26 at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022), joined chef Tom Moore at the pass in Goddard & Gibbs at One Hundred Shoreditch. Together, they served a standout fish-forward meal, featuring Raue’s signature wasabi langoustine and pikeperch with sangohachi, and Moore’s Cornish cured mackerel with lemongrass.
3. Guests sip cocktails in the British sunshine
50 Best welcomed its Academy Chairs and partners from all over the world to acclaimed British pub The George. On the sunlit corner of Great Portland Street, guests tucked into Gin Mare and Flor de Caña cocktails, Dassai sake and classic gastropub bites – take an exclusive look into the event in our video.
4. Spain and Slovenia combine in an intimate feast
The talented Ana Roš of Hiša Franko in Kobarid (No.34 at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022) and Bilbao-born chef-patron Nieves Barragan showcased their culinary heritages at Sabor in Mayfair with a multi-course, wine-paired extravaganza.
5. Six hands work in Lyle’s kitchen
Chef James Lowe of Lyle’s, ranked No.54 at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022, cooked with barbecue king Dave Pynt of Burnt Ends in Singapore and Elena Reygadas of Rosetta in Mexico City to create a series of unique combinations such as eel with peas and raw beef with caviar.
6. 50 Best brings the magic to Sea Containers for #50BestTalks
At rooftop bar 12th Knot, guests were treated to panoramic views of the London skyline at #50BestTalks: Bring the Magic!. Nyetimber flowed and illy caffè brewed, while some of the world’s greatest culinary personalities took to the stage: catch up on the best moments in the video here.
7. Will Guidara and Rasmus Munk showcase their outside-the-box service…
Formerly the co-owner of New York’s Eleven Madison Park, Will Guidara entertained with stories of the restaurant’s exceptional service – and gave the audience a taster of his ‘unreasonable hospitality’ with surprise customised touches. Rasmus Munk delved into the philosophy behind Alchemist and its holistic experience including raising social awareness.
8. … and culinary stars discuss the hot topic of hospitality
Steirereck’s Birgit Reitbauer – ranked No.13 at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022, Jerome Calayag – winner of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition, and the Beronia World’s Best Sommelier, Josep Roca, held the audience in a trance with their presentations, including a wine tasting from a 200-year-old bottle.
9. Brilliant Basque grilled fare is found at Brat
In a collaboration made in gastronomic heaven, Elkano’s head chef, Pablo Vicari, and chef Tomos Parry had a serious grill-off at Brat. Diners were served lobster with spider crab rice, tomato pil-pil and a delectable honey cake with gooseberries and cream to mark the culinary experience of a lifetime.
10. Heston Blumenthal welcomes guests to the Chefs’ Feast
Chefs from around the world were reunited at this year’s Chefs’ Feast, set in the luxurious Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental. Taking place the evening prior to the awards ceremony, speculation added to the buzz of talk and laughter, while guests sampled some of Blumenthal’s signature dishes, such as the iconic Meat Fruit – watch the video highlights from the event here.
11. The 20th anniversary of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is commemorated
Among the vast array of food – including Cinco Jotas iberico ham and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal plates – and tipples from the likes of London Essence and Beronia, every chef in the list was gifted a custom sculpture designed by Pordamsa to celebrate two decades of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, which was first published in 2002.
12. Chef Andreas Caminada brings the Swiss Alps to Trivet
Jonny Lake, formerly of Best of the Best restaurant The Fat Duck, shared Trivet’s kitchen with revered chef Andreas Caminada of Schloss Schauenstein fame. The two chefs delighted with a 10-course menu featuring the best produce from Switzerland and the UK.
13. Massimo Bottura and Stanley Tucci give a powerhouse welcome to the awards
On 18th July, Best of the Best chef Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana and multiple award-winning actor and gourmet Stanley Tucci opened the doors at Old Billingsgate, ready to welcome the restaurant teams ranked on this year’s list.
14. Chefs share the love on the red carpet
Donning the iconic red scarves presented by Aspire Lifestyles, chefs grinned arm-in-arm on the red carpet.
15. Anticipation rises at the awards reception
Before taking their seats for the countdown, chefs and food lovers were met with delicious food, such as nibbles from Jaen and small plates from Castilla La Mancha, delectable drinks and even a photo booth, sponsored by Choco.
16. The Champions of Change 2022 are recognised
Chefs in Africa founder Dieuveil Malonga, Koh Seng Choon from Singapore and the Ukrainian-Russian pair Olia Hercules and Alissa Timoshkina were honoured at the awards ceremony for their pioneering work using gastronomy to drive positive social change.
17. Jorge Vallejo receives the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award
The smiling chef from Quintonil received the only peer-voted accolade amongst wild applause from his contemporaries. Vallejo pushes boundaries at his restaurant in Mexico City, serving traditional ingredients with a unique modern twist.
18. The American Express One To Watch Award goes to AM par Alexandre Mazzia
Lauded as a rising-star restaurant in the list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, AM par Alexandre Mazzia is praised for its genuinely original culinary experience found on a quiet backstreet in Marseille.
19. Atomix is hailed with the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award
Shedding a tear of happiness, Atomix’s JP and Ellia Park accepted the trophy on behalf of the restaurant and their team, who are dedicated to delivering a first-class Korean dining experience in the heart of New York City.
20. Aponiente is honoured with the Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant Award
Chef Ángel León’s restaurant, Aponiente, on the coast near Cádiz, came out on top thanks to its strong ethos surrounding sustainable fishing practices, stewardship of marshland and water conservation.
21. René Frank becomes The World’s Best Pastry Chef, sponsored by Sosa
The chef-owner of dessert-led restaurant, Coda in Berlin was surprised with the ultimate accolade in the pastry arts, which he accepted on stage at the awards ceremony.
22. Legend Josep Roca receives the Beronia World’s Best Sommelier Award
The newest individual award to enter The World’s 50 Best Restaurants programme, the inaugural Beronia World’s Best Sommelier Award was presented to the inimitable Josep Roca of Best of the Best restaurant El Celler de Can Roca.
23. Nobelhart & Schmutzig is named the Villa Massa Highest Climber 2022
With their restaurant shooting up the list by 28 places, from No.45 to No.17, owner Billy Wagner and chef Micha Schäfer accepted the Villa Massa Highest Climber Award on behalf of Nobelhart & Schmutzig in Berlin.
24. Leonor Espinosa picks up The World’s Best Female Chef Award, sponsored by Nude Glass
Recognised for her individual cuisine and dedication to Colombia’s vast biodiversity, Leonor Espinosa of Leo in Bogotá received the award from The World’s Best Female Chef 2021, Pía León.
25. Uliassi jumps in with the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Aspire Lifestyles
The ecstatic chef-restaurateur siblings, Mauro and Catia Uliassi, joined Massimo Bottura on stage to be bestowed the Highest New Entry Award. Offering classic Italian dishes from the marina in Senigallia, Uliassi joins The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for the first time at No.12.
26. The World’s Best Restaurant 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, is crowned
Geranium received the ultimate accolade at this year’s awards ceremony. Pairing a meat-free menu – currently entitled ‘Summer Universe’ – with infallible hospitality, chef Rasmus Kofoed and restaurateur Søren Ledet led their well-deserving team on stage when the restaurant was crowned No.1 in the new list.
27. Guests arrive at the After Party in style
Following the reveal of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 list, guests were welcomed to Arcade in central London for the official After Party organised in conjunction with American Express, where comfort food and fine drinks flowed until late.
28. See you next year!
After an incredible week of celebrations, thought-provoking discussions and a mouth-watering new list, the 20th anniversary edition of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants was one for the history books. Stay tuned for the announcement of the next edition, set to take place in summer of 2023.
Now recap the best moments from The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in this video:
The list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2022, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, was announced on Monday 18th July at a live awards ceremony in London. To stay up to date with the latest news, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
