Italian restaurant named best in the world

[NEW YORK] Italy's Osteria Francescana was declared the world's best restaurant at an awards ceremony in New York on Monday, becoming the first Italian establishment to win the crown.

Run by chef Massimo Bottura, Osteria Francescana beat last year's winner, Spain's El Celler de Can Roca after coming second in 2015 in the World's 50 Best Restaurants awards.

Bottura is famous for his twists on traditional ingredients at his establishment in Modena.

He was praised for his "Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano," which the awards said crafted the world-famous cheese into "forms and textures most diners will never have previously experienced." "The chef's ambitious creations perfectly balance the demands of honoring heritage while embracing modernity," the awards board said in a statement explaining its decision.

"I want to thank everyone because it's been so hard, our job is all about art work," an ecstatic Bottura told the ceremony. "It's all about our work, in the kitchen everyday to work and succeed."

With Spain's El Celler de Can Roca knocked down to second place, the third spot went to New York's Eleven Madison Park.

The top 10 was rounded out by restaurants in Peru, Denmark - former four-time winner Noma - France, Spain, Japan and Austria.

The awards, run by trade magazine Restaurant, began in 2002 and have become a reference for the world's foodies.

Its jury is made up of 972 "independent experts," including food writers, chefs, restaurant owners and gourmets.

AFP