Italy’s Osteria Francescana was crowned world’s best restaurant of 2016 at an awards ceremony in New York on Monday, the first Italian establishment to win the annual accolade.
Italy’s Osteria Francescana was crowned world’s best restaurant of 2016 at an awards ceremony in New York on Monday, the first Italian establishment to win the annual accolade. Run by chef Massimo Bottura, Osteria Francescana pipped last year’s winner, Spain’s El Celler de Can Roca, in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, after coming second in 2015.
The Italian chef, whose world-famous restaurant in Modena came number three in 2013 and 2014, was emotional in accepting his award.
“I want to thank everyone because it’s been so hard, our job is all about art work,” an ecstatic Bottura told the ceremony. “It’s all about our work, in the kitchen everyday to work and succeed.”
With Spain’s El Celler de Can Roca knocked down to second place, the third spot went to New York’s Eleven Madison Park.
The top 10 was rounded out by restaurants in Peru, Denmark — former four-time winner Noma — France, Spain, Japan and Austria. Three French chefs won individual honours, with Alain Passard of Arpege given a lifetime achievement award, French-born Domini-que Crenn named best female chef and Pierre Herme best pastry chef.
