We’re Smart Awards 2025: London hosts global celebration of sustainable gastronomy

Spanish restaurant El Invernadero has been named the world’s best vegetable restaurant for the second year running at the We’re Smart Awards 2025.

The annual awards, which celebrate chefs and restaurants that place fruit and vegetables at the centre of their cooking, once again highlighted the strength of the UK’s plant-led scene on November 11.

Chantelle Nicholson, chef-owner of Apricity in London, was named Lady Pure Plant Chef of the Year 2025, while The Walled Gardens in Manchester by Eddie Shepherd won the Discovery Award and climbed from 83rd to 30th in the global Top 100.

Frog by Adam Handling made its debut in the global Top 100 at number 60, earning the prestigious five-radish status from the We’re Smart Green Guide.

Kirk said: "It’s an honour to be an ambassador for the We’re Smart Awards. I believe in this award system and project so much. Frank’s an incredible person and the chefs that are a part of this now are just getting better every year. I think plant-led cooking, if it’s truly coming from an honest place, coming from your soul, and it’s not for trends, then it’s only going to get better in my belief.

"I’ve always said that what I’m doing is not a trend - it’s a purpose, and there’s a lot of thought behind what I’m doing. And if chefs like myself and everybody else on the list keep pushing forward and driving this kind of way of cooking with innovation and keeping it exciting, then surely it’s only going to get bigger.”

Chantelle Nicholson recognised for sustainable leadership

Chantelle Nicholson, originally from New Zealand, received the Lady Pure Plant Chef of the Year title for her commitment to regenerative, low-waste and ecologically responsible dining at Apricity.

Frank Fol, founder of We’re Smart World, said: “London is more than a spoiled city when it comes to good restaurant experiences. At Apricity, you can go full plant-based and you won’t regret it. Chantelle Nicholson knows what she is doing - dishes are pure, flavour-led and brimming with creativity.”

Chantelle said: "I think it’s a fantastic organisation. We’re Smart celebrates vegetables, which is something I love a lot. So for me, it’s a great kind of recognition of restaurants that are doing wonderful things with plants. And yes, absolutely, it’s lovely to be representing the female chefs as well."

The award recognised Chantelle's ongoing leadership in sustainability and her role in promoting female representation within professional kitchens - a key focus of the We’re Smart initiative.

British excellence and new talent

Eddie Shepherd’s The Walled Gardens was honoured with the Discovery Award, presented to chefs and restaurants driving innovation in plant-based cuisine. The Manchester restaurant recorded one of the largest leaps in this year’s rankings, climbing 53 places to reach the global top 30.

Kirk Haworth continued his influence as both chef and We’re Smart UK Ambassador, leading the London debate on the future of plant-led gastronomy. 

Meanwhile, Adam Handling’s Frog joined the world’s top 100 for the first time, receiving five-radish status - the highest level of recognition within the We’re Smart Green Guide. The United Kingdom now has ten restaurants with five radishes, underscoring its growing status as a leader in sustainable cooking.

El Invernadero remains the world’s best vegetable restaurant

For the second year in a row, chef Rodrigo de la Calle’s El Invernadero in Madrid was named Best Vegetable Restaurant in the World. Known for his precise technique and creative use of fermented drinks, Rodrigo was praised for elevating plant-based fine dining to new heights.

Frank Fol said: “Chef Rodrigo de la Calle is a culinary phenomenon. His 100% Pure Plant creations deserve global attention - technically perfect, full of flavour, and paired with extraordinary drinks. El Invernadero continues to lead world gastronomy with unmatched creativity and precision.”

Following his consecutive win, Rodrigo is set to join fellow culinary pioneers Xavier Pellicer (Spain), René Mathieu (Luxembourg) and Emile van der Staak (Netherlands) in the We’re Smart “Untouchables” — chefs whose restaurants have held the number one position for at least two years.