Highly anticipated night among the restaurant world, The World Restaurant Awards, was held with a magnificent ceremony in Paris in its first edition. The most important award of the ceremony was “The Restaurant of the Year” award, was given to Wolfgat in South Africa.
Wolfgat also highlighted as the winner of the Off-Map dining destination: an award specifically for remote restaurants.
For a complete list of the winners of the 18 special and interesting categories, such as the “Tattoo-Free-Chef” or “Tweezer-Free Kitchen of the Year”:
BIG PLATES
Restaurant of the Year
Wolfgat – Paternoster, South Africa
Arrival of the Year – For new restaurants opened Sept 1, 2017 – Sept 30, 2018.
Inua – Tokyo, Japan
House Special – Restaurants defined by one particular dish.
Lido 84 – ‘Cacio e Pepe’ cooked in pig’s bladder, Italy
Off-Map Destination – Remote restaurants where the journey to get there is a story.
Wolfgat – Paternoster, South Africa
Atmosphere – Considering restaurant service, acoustics and overall ambience.
Vespertine – Los Angeles, United States
No Reservations Required – For places where it’s possible to turn up without a booking.
Mocoto – Sao Paolo, Brazil
Ethical Thinking – Rewarding environmental and social responsibility.
Refettorio by Massimo Bottura, various locations worldwide
Original Thinking – Highlighting envelope-pushing creativity and artistic expression.
Le Clarence, Paris
Enduring Classic – Exceptional restaurants open for at least 50 years.
La Mère Brazier – Lyon, France
Forward Drinking – Focusing on fresh ideas in liquid refreshment.
Mugaritz – San Sebastian, Spain
Event of the Year – Recognising restaurant residencies and pop-ups.
Refugee Food Festival, France (and worldwide)
Collaboration of the Year – Rewarding restaurants for their work with suppliers.
Cafe Paradiso and Gort na Nairn Farm, Ireland
SMALL PLATES
Long-Form Journalism – Because the world still needs in-depth restaurant writing.
Lisa Abend for ‘The Food Circus’ article published in Fool Magazine
Tweezer-Free Kitchen of the Year – Searching for a more hands-on style of plating.
Bo.Lan, Thailand
Instagram Account of the Year – Picked from the restaurant world’s social media platform of choice.
Alain Passard
Tattoo-Free Chef of the Year – For toque stars whose bodies aren’t canvases.
Alain Ducasse
Trolley of the Year – For those that believe tableside service should always be in fashion.
Ballymaloe House, Ireland
Red-Wine Serving Restaurant – For those who shun current fashion by still championing the red grape.
Noble Rot, United Kingdom