Mexican Chef Elena Reygadas Crowned Best Female Chef by World’s 50 Best Restaurants
Mexican chef Elena Reygadas has recently been crowned as the best female chef in the world by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants organization. The chef-owner of Rosetta, located in Mexico City, was named the 2023 pick for the award, marking almost a decade since she was named the best female chef in Latin America in 2014.
Reygadas’ menu reinterprets classic Mexican dishes, with handmade pastas like hoja santa tortellini, and plates such as pistachio pipián and emeritus tacos that were highlighted by the World’s 50 Best groups.
Rosetta opened in 2010 and has since gained a loyal following, leading to Reygadas opening more establishments, such as Lardo and Café Nin, that highlight Mexican ingredients and the environments and traditions that shape them. In 2019, she released her first cookbook, which serves as a tribute to Mexican cuisine.
William Drew, the director of content for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, praised Reygadas’ advocacy of traditional dishes and indigenous biodiversity, stating that she is promoting the future of Mexican gastronomy.
The Best Female Chef award is the first to be announced as part of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 class, with the full ranking set to be revealed at a ceremony in Valencia, Spain, on June 20.
Reygadas expressed her gratitude and honor for being recognized by people she admires and shared that the award belongs to her entire team, as well as to all the women in the kitchen who have preserved the culinary legacy for generations. As of now, Rosetta’s ranking on the list is still unknown, but Reygadas is undoubtedly the crème de la crème of chefs this year.
What is World’s 50 Best Restaurants organization?
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants organization is a prestigious list and ranking of restaurants around the world, published annually by William Reed Business Media. It is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the restaurant industry.
The list is compiled by a group of more than 1,000 international restaurant industry experts, including chefs, restaurateurs, food critics, and other industry insiders, who vote on their favorite restaurants based on criteria such as food quality, creativity, service, and atmosphere.
The organization also awards other accolades, such as the “World’s Best Female Chef” and “One to Watch” awards.
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list was first introduced in 2002 by UK-based restaurant magazine Restaurant. The list was originally created to provide a ranking of the best restaurants in the world, as determined by a group of food critics and industry experts.
In 2002 and 2003, the list was dominated by restaurants from Europe and the United States. However, in 2004, the list expanded to include restaurants from other regions, such as Asia and South America.
In 2009, William Reed Business Media acquired the rights to the list and the accompanying awards ceremony, and rebranded it as “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants”. The list and awards ceremony have since grown in popularity and prestige, and have become a major event in the global restaurant industry.
Over the years, the organization has expanded its activities to include a range of initiatives aimed at promoting culinary excellence and supporting the hospitality industry.
These initiatives include regional lists of the best restaurants, a scholarship program for aspiring chefs, and a global summit for industry professionals.
Despite criticism of the ranking system and accusations of elitism, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants remains one of the most influential and widely recognized accolades in the culinary world.
