Dubai’s culinary scene was buzzing this week as Atlantis the Palm hosted the 2024 Best Chef Awards. Honouring 550 chefs from 61 countries, the ceremony brought culinary legends under one roof for a night of applause, awards, and avant-garde gastronomy. This year, the Awards also introduced an inventive ranking system, Knife recognition, which moves beyond traditional ratings, focusing on impact and skill to award chefs with One, Two, or Three Knives.
The Best Chef Awards 2024: New Awards And Prestigious Knife Tiers In Dubai
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In addition to individual honours, Dubai’s own Himanshu Saini clinched the prestigious Three Knives and the Best Dubai Award for his culinary artistry at Trèsind Studio. With intricate plating and bold Indian flavours, Saini’s dishes make Trèsind Studio a global culinary destination, giving UAE residents another reason to brag about Dubai’s vibrant food scene.
Spotlight On Special Award Winners
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The 2024 Best Chef Awards didn’t just highlight geographical diversity; it also showcased culinary creativity, sustainability, and innovation. Under the Special Awards category, the spotlight was on chefs who brought something unique to the table.
Special Awards Winners:
The Best (R) Evolution: Albert Adrià, Enigma, Spain
The Best Chef Pastry: René Frank, Coda, Germany
The Best New Entry: Mei Kogo, Sushi-Meino, Japan
The Best Terroir: Jaime Rodríguez, Celele, Colombia
The Best Science: Ángel León, Aponiente, Spain
The Best Food Art: Julien Royer, Odette, Singapore
The Best NextGen: Michele Lazzarini, Contrada Bricconi, Italy
The Best Dining Experience: Vaughan Mabee, Amisfield, New Zealand
The Best Creativity: Paco Méndez, Come Restaurant, Spain
The Best Dubai: Himanshu Saini, Trèsind, UAE
Best Voted by Professionals: Ana Roš, Hiša Franko, Slovenia
The Best Origins & Future Award: Eva, Lilian, Emilie Rihani, Three by Eva, UAE; and Mohamad, Wassim, Omar Orfali, Orfali Bros, UAE
Each chef in this list has made strides in their craft. Notably, Middle Eastern chefs shone at the event, with Dubai’s Eva, Lilian, and Emilie Rihani, and Mohamad, Wassim, and Omar Orfali sharing the Best Origins & Future Award. Bahrain and Jordan also saw winners, proving that the Middle East is a growing hub for top-tier cuisine.
A Fresh System Of Recognition: The Knife Tiers
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This year, the Best Chef Awards made a bold move by abandoning typical rankings and introducing Knife Tiers. This system gives chefs the recognition they deserve based on their impact and skill, rather than a fixed numerical rank.
Knife Tiers:
Three Knives (The Best): Awarded to 97 chefs who scored 80% or higher.
Two Knives (World-Class): Granted to 177 chefs achieving 40% or above.
One Knife (Excellent): Honouring 276 chefs who scored 20% or more.
Chef Himanshu Saini from Dubai proudly earned the Three Knives distinction, placing him among the crème de la crème of culinary talent globally. Middle Eastern chefs, including Tala Bashmi from Bahrain and Sara Aqel from Jordan, also received Knife honours, underscoring the region’s culinary rise.
Also Read: For The First Time Ever, Dubai To Host The Best Chef Awards 2024 In November
A Toast To Global Culinary Pioneers
The Best Chef Awards 2024 left no doubt about Dubai’s position as a global culinary capital, bringing together chefs who redefine fine dining and innovation. With its new Knife recognition, the event not only honours culinary excellence but sets the stage for a more inclusive celebration of chefs worldwide. So, whether you’re a seasoned foodie or an adventurous diner, this year’s winners are setting the bar high, deliciously so.
Cover Image Courtesy: The Best Chef Awards/Website
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