The Copenhagen restaurant came second to Noma in last year’s celebrations, but this year, as the event returned to its original home in London for the 20th anniversary, Rasmus Kofoed and Søren Ledet were the last men standing at the end of the 1-50 countdown.
The awards this year, hosted by actor and gourmand Stanley Tucci, had originally been scheduled to take place in Moscow, but the plans had to change when the war started earlier this year.
In London’ Old Billingsgate Market chefs and their teams came together from all over the world in its first return to the British capital since taking the event global in 2016.
Noma, of cours,e has now moved into the group named the Best of the Best which is made up of previous winners of the main prize.
A global culinary destination
Danish chef Kofoed was emotional when he and Søren Ledet, Geranium’s front of house director and his best friend took to the stage.
“There was a time in my youth when I looked in the mirror and I didn’t recognise what I saw, but then I found my place full of flavours and colours and aromas, surrounded by people who shared the same vision as me,” he said. “I found the place where I belong.”
In second place was Central in Lima, Peru and the third spot went to Disfrutar in Barcelona.
“We are delighted to announce the list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 and to celebrate Geranium as the new No. 1. Rasmus Kofoed and Søren Ledet and their team have created an unforgettable dining experience, taking seasonal cooking to superlative heights, and delivering precise, beautiful and elegant food that combines art and flavour alongside a ground-breaking drinks programme,” says William Drew, director of content for The World’s 50 Best. “Geranium has cemented its status as a global culinary destination and a much-deserved winner of the title.
Among the individual awards, Angel León, the chef behind Aponiente in Spain received the award for the Most Sustainable Restaurant while Leonor Espinosa of restaurant Leo in Bogotá, Colombia, was named the World’s Best Female Chef.
There was a new award for the best sommelier in the world, going to Josep Roca from El Celler de Can Roca in Spain.
A celebration of all
In all the list saw 29 restaurants from Europe on the list, eight from South America, five from North America, seven in Asia and one in Africa. The 2022 list saw 12 new entrants and two re-entries.
“It is exciting to recognise this diverse list of restaurants spread across five continents and to see this vibrant culinary community coming together to celebrate in London,” says Drew.
At a challenging time for an industry, still emerging from the Covid crisis, the event in London, seemed more like a celebration for a sector known for its collegiate spirit than a competitive list.
As Kofoed said, concluding his speech, “For me, this is not about being better than another, it is a celebration of us all.”
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Special awards, World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022
Beronia World’s Best Sommelier Award
Gin Mare Art of Hospitality award: Atomix, US
Sosa The World’s best pastry chef: René Frank, Coda, Germany
Highest New entry award: Uliassi, Italy
Villa Massa Highest Climber award: Nobelhart & Schmutzig
Estrella Damm Chef’s Choice Award: Quintonil
Nude Glass World’s Best female Chef: Leonor Espinosa, Leo, Colombia
One to Watch award: AM par Alexandre Mazzia
Icon Award: Wawira Njiru, Food for Education, Kenya
Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant of the Year Award: Aponiente, Spain
Tina Nielsen
