Eleven Madison Park voted world’s best restaurant

Eleven Madison Park in New York, owned and run by head chef Daniel Humm, has been voted the world’s best restaurant at a glitzy ceremony in Melbourne.

Daniel Humm, head chef and co-owner of Eleven Madison Park

The three Michelin star site on Madison Avenue toppled Massimo Bottura’s tiny Modena restaurant Osteria Francescana off the top spot to number two on the list.

Spain’s El Celler de Can Roca came in at number 3, with Mirazur in Menton in fourth and Virgilio Martinez’ Central in Peru in fifth place.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards took place at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, attracting many of the globe’s big name chefs.

Judges described Eleven Madison Park as “the perfect partnership of outstanding hospitality and exquisite food”.

Swiss-born cook Humm won his first Michelin star aged just 24. He became executive chef at Eleven Madison Park in 2006 when the restaurant was still owned by Danny Meyer.

His signature dishes include roast duck with honey and lavender; celery root cooked in a pig’s bladder; smoked potato with brown butter; and roast plum with ricotta ice cream. The 10-course tasting menu costs $295.

“I don’t think any of us here do what we do for the accolades. But affirmation is a beautiful thing that fills your gas tank. It fuels you, and gives you the ability to keep pushing,” co-owner Will Guidara said on receiving the accolade.

Housed in the Art Deco Metropolitan Life North Building, EMP plans to close this summer to be renovated, and will reopen in September with a new kitchen and refurbished dining room.

Three London restaurants made the list, with The Clove Club in Shoreditch retaining its place at number 26, The Ledbury in Notting Hill a place behind at 27 and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Knightstbridge up nine places to 36.

Culinary alchemist Heston Blumenthal received a standing ovation when given a lifetime achievement award for his mind-blowing contributions to cooking.

Spain had three restaurants in the top 10, while Paris had the biggest number of entries on the list city-wise, with five restaurants in the City of Light honoured.

Slovenian chef Ana Ros was voted female chef of the year, while El Celler de Can Roca in Girona won the art of hospitality award sponsored by Trentino sparkling wine producer Ferrari.

The list in full:

1. Eleven Madison Park (New York, USA)
2. Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)
3. El Celler de Can Roca (Girona, Spain)
4. Mirazur (Menton, France)
5. Central (Lima, Peru)
6. Asador Etxebarri (Axpe, Spain)
7. Gaggan (Bangkok, Thailand)
8. Maido (Lima, Peru)
9. Mugaritz (Errenteria, Spain)
10. Steirereck (Vienna, Austria)
11. Blue Hill at Stone Barns (New York, USA)
12. L’Arpège (Paris, France)
13. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée (Paris, France)
14. Restaurant Andre (Singapore)
15. Piazza Duomo (Alba, Italy)
16. D.O.M. (São Paulo, Brazil)
17. Le Bernardin (New York, USA)
18. Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)
19. Geranium (Copenhagen, Denmark)
20. Pujol (Mexico City, Mexico)
21. Alinea (Chicago, USA)
22. Quintonil (Mexico City, Mexico)
23. White Rabbit (Moscow, Russia)
24. Amber (Hong Kong)
25. Tickets (Barcelona, Spain)
26. The Clove Club (London, UK)
27. The Ledbury (London, UK)
28. Nahm (Bangkok, Thailand)
29. Le Calandre (Rubano, Italy)
30. Arzak (San Sebastian, Spain)
31. Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen (Paris, France)
32. Attica (Melbourne, Australia)
33. Astrid y Gastón (Lima, Peru)
34. De Librije (Zwolle, Netherlands)
35. Septime (Paris, France)
36. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (London, UK)
37. Saison (San Francisco, USA)
38. Azurmendi (Larrabetzu, Spain)
39. Relae (Copenhagen, Denmark)
40. Cosme (New York, USA)
41. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (Shanghai, China)
42. Boragó (Santiago, Chile)
43. Reale (Castel Di Sangro, Italy)
44. Brae (Birregurra, Australia)
45. Den (Tokyo, Japan)
46. L’Astrance (Paris, France)
47. Vendôme (Cologne, Germany)
48. Restaurant Tim Raue (Berlin, Germany)
49. Tegui (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
50. Hof Van Cleve (Kruishoutem, Belgium)