The results were leaked, Noma was no longer at the top. But no one was unduly concerned.
These things are bound to happen -- the 11th World's 50 Best Restaurant Awards show went on.
What started out as a feature in the UK-based Restaurant magazine is now the most revered and sought after accolade in the business. As Richard Vines, UK and Ireland chair of the awards and chief food critic at Bloomberg, says, “It's the restaurant industry's equivalent of the Oscars.”
Its influence can be summed up by Noma chef Rene Redzepi's tweet before the awards last year: “1,204 people on the waiting list for this evening. Same day in 2008 -- 14 guests in all day.”
And let’s hope Redzepi made the most of his past three years on top -- his Noma restaurant has been knocked down a peg to second spot by Spain’s El Celler de Can Roca, last year’s second-placed restaurant.
"We don’t know if we are the best restaurant but you can be sure that we will continue to work with authenticity, generosity, hospitality and of course creativity," said Joan Roca, chef at El Celler de Can Roca, during his acceptance speech.
Spain took two other spots in the top 10, Mugaritz (4th) and Arzak (8th) completing the hat trick.
Perhaps it's appropriate that Spain was so roundly honored this year. Modern Spanish cuisine is arguably the hottest thing at the world's dinner tables these days. See our recent article: Spanish cuisine: Best food in the world right now?
That Latino influence will be explored further, when Restaurant magazine launches its South America's 50 Best Restaurants Awards, following the launch of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in February this year.
Here are this year's winners.
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