Italian-Argentinian chef Mauro Colagreco’s restaurant Mirazur on France’s Côte d’Azur has taken the title of best restaurant in the world 2019.
As Tuesday’s countdown of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in Singapore eliminated the usual suspects one by one — Gaggan, Central, Mugaritz and Noma — it became clear that Colagreco’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Menton, France had been crowned the winner.
Before host Annabel Crabb could confirm what the entire room knew, Colagreco and his team were already on their feet, embracing, cheering and celebrating.
The first thing Colagreco did on stage was to unfurl a large banner that stitched together the flags of France, Argentina, Brazil and Italy, representing his own heritage — an immigrant chef in France — and those of his restaurant staff and his partner.
“This flag means the world for us, representing Mirazur and the new French approach to cooking,” he said in an emotional speech.
“This flag thanks France because this country allows me to express myself. It’s where both of my children were born. This flag also brings me back to Argentina, to Brazil, which offered me the love of my life and to Italy, where more than half my team comes from.”
“But also other countries that have opened the world to me and made me realise that cuisine can open all kinds of borders.”
It’s been a wild year for Colagreco. Earlier this year, Mirazur unlocked three Michelin stars in the guide for France, making him the first foreign-born chef to enter the exclusive club.
The menu at Mirazur draws from its natural surroundings of sea and mountains and is described as an inventive, colourful, pictorial play on textures and contrasts.
Here are the top 25 restaurants for 2019:
1. Mirazur, Menton, France
2. Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark – Highest New Entry
3. Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo, Spain
4. Gaggan, Bangkok, Thailand – Best Restaurant in Asia
5. Geranium, Copenhagen, Denmark
6. Central, Lima, Peru – Best Restaurant in South America
7. Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain
8. Arpège, Paris, France
9. Disfrutar, Barcelona, Spain
10. Mido, Lima, Peru
11. Den, Tokyo, Japan
12. Pujol, Mexico City – Best Restaurant in North America 2019
13. White Rabbit in Moscow, Russia
14. Azurmendi in Larrabetzu, Spain
15. Septime, Paris, France
16. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée in Paris, France
17. Steirereck, Vienna Austria
18. Odette, Singapore
19. Twins Garden, Moscow, Russia
20. Tickets, Barcelona, Spain
21. Frantzén in Stockholm, Sweden
22. Narisawa, Tokyo, Japan
23. Cosme, New York, USA
24. Quintonil, Mexico City
25. Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen, Paris, France. – Relaxnews
