Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, has dressed up tonight to host the ceremony of the increasingly prestigious The World's 50 Best Restaurants. The city, known for its casinos and shows, has been the ideal place to become, for a few hours, the epicenter of world gastronomy. The impeccable presenter Olivia Freijo kept the tension until the end of the gala, which had some technical problems, and in which until the last moment it was not known whether the "innovation and imagination" of Disfrutar or "the fantastic gastronomic experience" of Asador Etxebarri would end up winning. Finally, Disfrutar has been consecrated as the best restaurant in the world in 2024. Although Eduard Xatruch, Oriol Castro and Mateu Casañas have stated on several occasions that awards are not their priority and they work for clients, it is undeniable that this award has a great media impact.
It should be noted that their project made its entry into the list in 2018 (number 18), but quickly reached the top ten in 2019. From 50 Best they define it as a place where "the only rule is that there are no rules", highlighting dishes such as the gazpacho sandwich, crispy fried eggs and liquid salad.
Castro, on stage after a long team hug, explained that: "Tonight is a magical moment. We didn't expect it... until the last second we felt surprise and emotion. We will remember it all our lives." A very emotional Xatruch also added that: "We want to dedicate the recognition to all the people who dedicate themselves to the profession; without our teams we are nothing. Also to our families, who have supported us in everything." Finally, Casañas added that "none of the three could imagine that this would go so far. This profession needs hours, hours and even more hours, but, through it, we can make many people happy."
In the list we also find another Barcelona restaurant, Enigma by Albert Adrià, in position 59. From 50 Best they emphasize that "even those dishes that seem simple are transformed into something new and wonderful at Enigma". Other restaurants from the peninsula present include Etxebarri, Bittor Arginzoniz's grill in Atxondo, Bizkaia, and DiverXO, in Madrid, which occupies the fourth position despite Dabiz Muñoz leaving the NH Eurobuilding hotel to move to La Finca, in Pozuelo de Alarcón.
In summary, in the list of the hundred best restaurants in the world in 2024 we find a total of 8 Spanish restaurants, among which there are 2 from Barcelona: Disfrutar (1), Etxebarri (2), DiverXO (4), Quique Dacosta Restaurante (14) and Elkano (28), which are among the top fifty, and Enigma (59), Aponiente (72) and Mugaritz (81).
Beyond the best restaurants in the world
The 50 Best brand has also promoted other listings and awards, such as The World's 50 Best Bars (which this year are held in Madrid), 50 Best Discovery or 50 Next, with young talents under 35 who are shaping the future of gastronomy. In 2024, we also find awards such as The World's Best Female Chef 2024 for Janaína Torres from Casa do Porco, São Paulo, for her premium cuisine at affordable prices.Within the framework of Champions of Change 2024, the work of improving people's future through gastronomy has been recognized. This year, this distinction has been awarded to two inspiring projects: the restaurant Diamantes na Cozinha in Rio de Janeiro, led by Brazilian chef João Diamante, which has contributed to improving the lives of vulnerable people; and the social restaurant Roots, created by Caroline Caporossi and Jessica Rosval in Modena, which offers a paid Culinary Training Program for migrant women.
On the other hand, the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2024 has been granted to the Plénitude restaurant in Paris, a place where diners become actors and have the opportunity to choose the tableware, while the Resy One To Watch Award 2024 has gone to Kato, in Los Angeles, which offers Asian-American cuisine.
How The World's 50 Best Restaurants works
The World's 50 Best Restaurants started in 2002 as a publication within the British magazine Restaurant Magazine, edited by William Reed Business Media. However, over time, its influence in the sector has grown to become one of the most relevant lists. Unlike others, it is considered to point out trends and new business formats.The so-called Academy, that is, the team of people who vote in the awards, constitutes a panel made up of more than a thousand experts from the global gastronomic market, including chefs and hoteliers, journalists and gastronomes. Each member selects ten restaurants, where they must have eaten in the last 18 months.
In 22 years, there have only been 10 world leaders who have occupied the first position on the list, two of them Catalan: elBulli, The French Laundry, The Fat Duck, Noma, El Celler de Can Roca, Osteria Francescana, Eleven Madison Park, Mirazur, Geranium and Central.