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The 2024 edition of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, saw the finest chefs, restaurateurs and food lovers from across the region return to Rio de Janeiro for five days of celebratory events. Catch up on some of the highlights here
1. A lush welcome at Elena Horto 
One of the city hottest restaurants, Elena Horto, hosted the ‘Welcome to Rio’ dinner that opens the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants event programme. In its verdant surrounds, head chef Itamar Araujo joined forces with Alessandra Montagne, a carioca (Rio-born) chef who now runs the acclaimed Nosso in Paris. The locally flavoured menu was accompanied by a premium wine pairing courtesy of Beronia.
2. Samba in the sand on Ipanema beach
As befitting a celebration in the carnival city, the Chefs’ Feast took place on the world-famous Ipanema Beach. Culinary teams from Latin America’s leading restaurants gathered to sip Estrella Damm as the sun dipped behind the city’s Two Brothers Mountain. A variety of food stations served dishes representing Brazil’s six different biomes, from the Amazon to the Atlantic Coast, with cocktails shaken courtesy of local Rio bar Liz Cocktail & Co. The revelry continued with dancing in the sand to a live samba band.
3. A celebration of Black culture
Chef Jaime Rodríguez of Celele in Cartagena, on the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia, joined forces with Andressa Cabral and team from the popular Yayá Comidaria in Rio for the first in the series of 50 Best Signature Sessions collaboration dinners. The duo’s menu celebrated the Black communities and cooking of both countries to delicious effect, matched with superb cocktails.
4. Chefs share the unique flavours of Latin America at #50BestTalks
The line-up of gastronomic talent at #50BestTalks was a who’s who for chef followers in the region, featuring (from left to right): S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy winner Neilson Freitas, Luano Sabino of Metzi, Thalía Barrios García of Levadura de Olla, Eduardo Ortiz of Metzi, Kjolle’s Pía León, Mario Castrellón of Maito, Champions of Change Award winner João Diamante and Maido chef-owner Micha Tsumura. Each provided a different perspective on the unique flavours of Latin America at the Copacabana Palace Theatre. A documentary featuring Freitas’ personal and professional path from Portugal to Peru, called Afuera Hay Más – A Young Chef’s Journey, is more than worth a watch and can be found on Amazon Prime.
5. Valle de Guadalupe meets Copacabana Beach
The celebrated husband-and-wife team from Fauna, David Castro Hussong and Maribel Aldaco, brought the sensibility of Valle de Guadalupe to the glamorous Ristorante Hotel Cipriani, the flagship restaurant of the famed Copacabana Palace Hotel led by executive chef Nello Cassese. Guests were treated to a series of snacks combining Mexican and Italian elements followed by dishes from each participating chef in a relaxed yet lively atmosphere set by a live band and a trio of mariachis, before departing with a gift from event partner Lee Kum Kee.
6. Women in hospitality from across Latin America unite
50 Best gathered some of the leading women in the Latin American culinary universe at the Fairmont Copacabana to share experiences, support each other and talk about national and international recognition – and all the changes and challenges that come with it.
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The stunning Aprazível restaurant, led by Ana Castilho, played host to the team from Cantina del Tigre in Panama, resulting in a memorable 50 Best Signature Session. Diners tucked into a tasting menu that showcased the bounty of nature and the countryside across different territories.
8. History is made at the Museu Histórico Nacional 
More than 700 guests headed to the historic venue to walk the red carpet – adorned with the signature red scarves, courtesy of Aspire Lifestyles – calm the nerves with a well-balanced Gin Mare martini and cool off a little with República del Cacao white chocolate and roasted corn ice cream. The team from the American Express One To Watch Award winner, Clara, was accompanied by the chefs from Nuema (above), with both restaurants hailing from Quito in Ecuador.
9. A Colombian icon takes centre stage 
One of the most significant moments of the night saw Colombian chef, restaurateur, social campaigner and international culinary ambassador Harry Sasson take to the stage to receive the Woodford Reserve Icon Award. Sasson’s heartfelt speech, in which he spoke about his inspiration to become a chef, and called on his fellow chefs and restaurateurs to continue to work together to show Latin American flavours and traditions to the world, was preceded by an emotional standing ovation for this inspirational figure.
10. A steakhouse is named The Best Restaurant in Latin America 2024 
Emotions ran high as owner-sommelier Pablo Rivero and executive chef Guido Tassi took the applause for Don Julio, voted No.1 in Latin America in the 2024 ranking. The family-run Argentine parrilla’s success is based on sourcing the highest quality products – from beef to cheese to wine – and lacing it with abundant hospitality. The duo shared the accolade with the 200-strong team that works across the business.
11. Happy birthday vibes at Oseille 
Álvaro Clavijo from El Chato, No.3 in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024, stepped into the kitchen at 16-seat counter restaurant, Oseille, to whip up a fitting finale to proceedings. The occasion saw guests, friends and family mingle to celebrate Oseille chef-owner Thomas Troisgros’ birthday in style.
12. Until next time… 
The 2024 edition of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, reunited the teams behind the leading dining establishments across the region. It will return in 2025 in a fresh destination with an even more exciting event programme and a new ranking. Until then, follow 50 Best’s social channels – and sign up to the 50 Best newsletter – to stay fully informed on the best in gastronomy and hospitality.
Miss this year's awards? Watch the highlights here:
Discover the full list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024.
