Noma is number one in S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurant Awards 2010
Danish restaurant Noma has taken first place from Spain's El Bulli in the S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants 2010 list.
The restaurant in Copenhagen, run by head chef Rene Redzepi and his team, jumped from third to first place in the 2010 list, unveiled tonight at the awards at London's Guildhall.
El Bulli, which, until last year, had occupied the top slot for four consecutive years, dropped down to second place, pushing last year's number two restaurant, The Fat Duck, down to third place.
Redzepi and six members of staff from the restaurant took to the stage wearing T-shirts bearing the image of Ali, their kitchen porter who had not managed to secure a visa to come over to the UK for the awards.
Redzepi said: "When we started seven years ago none of us imagined we could take it so far. Our restaurant is testament to the fact that if you have the right team and surround yourself with people to develop with anything is possible."
Noma first appeared in the list in 2006 at 33rd position and became one of the most talked-about restaurants in the list last year after leaping up to third place.
Adria, who missed out on top place, was , however, called up to the stage to receive a special award: Chef of the Decade.
He said: "I feel very, very emotional. Today's a very special day, because it's the last time I'll get a prize from the gastro world. El Bulli will never be a restaurant again, but don't think I'm going to leave you."
View the 2010 List in full here
Other restaurants picking up special awards on the night included Alinea, voted best in North America, Les Créations de Narisawa, voted best in Asia and Daniel in New York, the highest climber from 41 last year to eighth place this year.
There are nine new entries into the top 50 this year and three re-entries. New entries are: Schloss Schauenstein in Switzerland, Aqua in Germany, De Librije in The Netherlands, Jaan par Andre in Singapore, Il Canto in Italy, Biko in Mexico, Nihonryori RyuGin in Japan, Hibiscus in the UK and Eleven Madison Park in the USA. Re-entries are: Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee and La Maison Troisgros in France and wd~50 in the USA.
Austrian chef Eckart Witzigmann also went on stage to pick up his Lifetime Achievement Award. He said he was 'very proud' to receive the award and thanked the 50 Best Academy for their nomination.
Best in World and Europe: Noma
Best in North America: Alinea
Best in South America: D.O.M
Best in Africa: La Colombe
Best in Asia: Les Créations de Narisawa
Best in Australasia: Quay
Highest climber: Daniel, USA
Highest new entry:Schloss Schauenstein, Switzerland
