The Best Chef Awards 2024, held at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai, highlighted culinary brilliance from around the world. With 550 chefs from 61 countries recognized, this 8th edition was the largest ever, making history as it marked the event’s debut in the Middle East. Supported by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the ceremony further strengthened Dubai’s status as a world-class culinary destination.

Top Global Honors

The awards celebrated three chefs who have reshaped modern cuisine:

1. Rasmus Munk (Alchemist, Denmark) – 1st Place: Renowned for his theatrical, experimental approach, Munk’s work at Alchemist captivates with an immersive experience blending art and food.
2. Albert Adrià (Enigma, Spain) – 2nd Place: A visionary, Adrià combines storytelling with culinary technique, pushing the limits of what’s possible in modern gastronomy.
3. Eric Vildgaard (Jordnær, Denmark) – 3rd Place: Known for elevating Nordic ingredients with sustainable practices, Vildgaard’s dishes highlight purity and natural beauty.

Special Awards for Culinary Excellence

The ceremony also presented special awards celebrating chefs’ achievements across a range of culinary expertise:

• Best (R) Evolution: Albert Adrià (Enigma, Spain)
• Best Chef Pastry: René Frank (Coda, Germany)
• Best New Entry: Mei Kogo (Sushi-Meino, Japan)
• Best Terroir: Jaime Rodríguez (Celele, Colombia)
• Best Science: Ángel León (Aponiente, Spain)
• Best Food Art: Julien Royer (Odette, Singapore)
• Best NextGen: Michele Lazzarini (Contrada Bricconi, Italy)
• Best Dining Experience: Vaughan Mabee (Amisfield, New Zealand)
• Best Creativity: Paco Méndez (Come Restaurant, Spain)
• Best Dubai: Himanshu Saini (Trèsind Studio, UAE)
• Best Voted by Professionals: Ana Roš (Hiša Franko, Slovenia)
• Best Origins & Future:
  • Eva, Lilian, and Emilie Rihani (Three by Eva, UAE)
  • Mohamad, Wassim, and Omar Orfali (Orfali Bros, UAE)

Introducing the Knife Recognition System

In a first for The Best Chef Awards, this year’s event launched the Knife recognition system, a tiered framework honoring culinary professionals across three categories:

• Three Knives (The Best): The highest tier, awarded to 97 chefs achieving 80% or more of the maximum points, including Dubai’s own Grégoire Berger (Ossiano) and Himanshu Saini (Trèsind Studio).
• Two Knives (World-Class): Honoring 177 chefs who achieved 40% or more, such as Mohamad Orfali (Orfali Bros) and Daniel Birk (Row on 45).
• One Knife (Excellent): Recognizing 276 chefs who scored 20% or more, including Rahul Rana (Avatara), Solemann Haddad (Moonrise), and Tom Allen (Dinner by Heston).

A Vibrant Celebration of Global Cuisine

The awards followed a three-day series of events, including the Food Meets Science conference and panel discussions. Drawing more than 3,000 attendees, the event provided a forum for culinary leaders and enthusiasts alike to connect, learn, and celebrate.

Dubai’s Culinary Rise

The awards not only honored Dubai-based chefs but also highlighted the city’s growing culinary impact. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, noted that hosting the awards “underlined [Dubai’s] status as a global gastronomy capital.”

Co-founder of The Best Chef, Cristian Gadau, celebrated the event’s success, saying, “Bringing The Best Chef Awards to Dubai for the first time has been a landmark moment.” Fellow co-founder Joanna Slusarczyk added, “This year, we were privileged to acknowledge an extraordinary 550 chefs—each one an embodiment of skill, vision, and dedication.”

With The Best Chef Awards 2024, Dubai has left a lasting mark on the international culinary map, reinforcing its reputation as a premier destination for both dining and culinary innovation.