After two successful years in Peru, Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, will hold its gala in Mexico for the first time. On September 23rd the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso will open its gates to host this annual celebration of gastronomy, where 2015’s list will be revealed to the region’s chefs and media.
Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants is organised by William Reed Media Group, the organisation behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. This year, Mexico was chosen as the host country, reflecting its status as a leading culinary travel destination in the region.
The list is a celebration of the best gastronomic experiences that Latin America has to offer, and it also works as an annual barometer of taste, created from the votes of over 250 independent experts from across the region.
Along with the revealing of the list, a set of individual awards will be handed out on the night, including The Diners Club® Lifetime Achievement Award, the Veuve Clicquot Latin America’s Best Female Chef Award, and the Latin America’s Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Cacao Barry. Additionally, the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by LesConcierges, will be given to the highest ranked restaurant that has not been featured on the list in previous years.
The awards ceremony will conclude with the announcement of the restaurant ranked No.1, which receives The S. Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Latin America Award. The ceremony will then be followed by a celebration filled with Mexican flavour and festivity.
The voting for Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants follows the same fundamental principles as for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, only with a regional perspective rather than a global one. The awards provide a snapshot of the opinions and experiences of the independent experts who make up the voting academy. What constitutes ‘best’ is left to the judgment of these trusted and well-travelled gourmets.
Mexico will be the host country sponsor for the awards in 2015 and 2016 as part of a global location strategy that will see all three lists (The World’s 50 Best, Latin America’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best) regularly move to new host cities.
Choosing to stage this event in Mexico City is a reflection of the city’s and country’s gastronomic prominence, vibrancy and diversity. It showcases the country’s rise as a gastronomic travel destination and it provides a great platform that benefits all restaurants in the region by raising the profile of Latin America’s gastronomy and culinary diversity.
Last year’s No.1 was Peruvian restaurant Central, whose chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía León became the brightest stars of the night. The Diners Club® Lifetime Achievement Award was granted to Alex Atala for his contribution to Brazilian gastronomy and the Veuve Clicquot Latin America’s Best Female Chef was Elena Reygadas, whose restaurant Rosetta was also featured on the list.
William Drew, Group Editor for Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, talked about the venue and host city for the gala: “We are thrilled to announce the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso as the venue for Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants gala awards. It’s a very special place that captures the festivity and excitement that we aim to share with all our guests.In our first year in Mexico we are looking forward to the celebration of Latin American gastronomy that will bring together chefs and restaurateurs, as well as the media and food-lovers.”