This week, Lima-based Restaurant Central, helmed by chefs Virgilio Martinez and Pia Leone, was crowned the best restaurant in the world by the website. Theworlds50best.com.
Named the best restaurant in the world in 2023, the Peruvian restaurant won an award for its cuisine that celebrates the diversity of its ingredients, as well as the history and traditions of Peru, the website writes.
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The restaurant, called Central, takes the crown from Danish geraniums.
– I like what we do
It’s not about being number one, it’s not about being the best, it’s about what we do every single day. We love what we do,” said the restaurant’s owner and chef, Virgilio Martinez, when accepting the award.
Pía Léon, Martinez’s wife and co-owner of Central, also ended up in 28th place with her own solo venture, Kjolle’s Restaurant.
The annual award ceremony was held in Valencia, Spain at the beginning of the week.
– Important for Peru
After the award, Central also commented on the win on social media.
– Thanks to all the people who followed us through life, say Martinez and Leon from the restaurant Instagram account.
– We represent a region, a diversity and a culture, continues Martinez, who notes that the prize is important for Peru and Latin America, thanks to its clarity in gastronomy, as well as culture and its art.
The second place in the competition went to the Barcelona restaurant Disfrotar, led by chefs Oriol Castro, Eduard Exatroche and Mateo Cazanas.
Disfrotar was followed by two more Spanish restaurants, Diverxo and Asador Etxebarri, which ended up in fourth and third places.
Among Nordic restaurants, the Danish Chemist in Copenhagen, Denmark is fifth, and Frantzen in Stockholm is the thirtieth.
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