Eleven Madison Park in New York has been named the World’s Best Restaurant 2017. The contemporary American restaurant has risen from second place to claim the top spot this year pushing Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana into second place.

This year’s winners were revealed at an awards ceremony at the historic Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne on Wednesday, April 5.

Eleven Madison Park head chef daniel humm — chef Daniel Humm

On accepting the award at the event, restaurateur Will Guidara, said: “Thank you so so much. There are four of us up here but there are so many more people than that that helped us get here. There are 150 people at Eleven Madison Park all of whom give themselves so much to take care of others, they’re all back in New York right now up early in our own private dining room watching this online, ‘guys we did it’ we wish you guys were here to celebrate with us. Here’s the thing, don’t wreck the restaurant whilst we’re gone we promise to wreck it together when we get home!”

Chef Daniel Humm added: “I don’t even know how I feel right now but I am super joyed. I also want to address our team at home, I am so proud to be up here today representing all of you, you are truly some of the most amazing people I have ever met and worked with, you’re my family and I love you guys so much and I can’t wait to come home and tell you that in person.”

In claiming the No.1 position on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, Eleven Madison Park earns the dual titles of The World’s Best Restaurant and The Best Restaurant in North America. Last year’s winner, Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, claims the No.2 position to retain its title as The Best Restaurant in Europe while El Cellar de Can Roca slips one place to no.

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3. Rounding off the top 5 is Mirazur which climbs two places from no. 6 to no. 4 and the the Best Restaurant in South America, Central in Lima Peru drops one place to no. 5.

In the UK the two Michelin-starred The Ledbury drops from 14 to 27 while last year’s highest new entry, The Clove Club remains at no. 26. Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, who was recipient of the 2017 Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award, has moved up 9 places on the list with his restaurant Dinner by Heston climbing from no. 45 to no. 36.

>>> Read: 10 Mins with: Heston Blumenthal

Elsewhere, the highest new entry this year comes from the three Michelin-starred French restaurant, Pavillon Ledoyen, Alléno Paris led by Yanneck Alléno which places on the list for the first time at no. 31. Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse’s Au Plaza Athénée is a re-entry this year at no. 13 while the highest climber award went to Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, New York which rose an astonishing 37 places from no. 48 last year no. 11 this year.

Last month saw the release of the 100-51 restaurant list where the highest new entry came from the Michelin-starred, Disfrutar in Barcelona which also received the One to Watch Award. Three UK restaurants also made the list including Lyle’s at no.54, St. John at no.91 and Hedone at no.98 which each have a star in the Michelin Guide UK.

Other awards announced ahead of the live event included Michelin starred chef, Heston Blumenthal receiving the 2017 Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award, while Ana Roš of Hiša Franko restaurant in Kobarid, Slovenia was named the World’s Best Female Chef 2017.

>>> See the full list here

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