Esquire's Best Chef in America Now Owns the Best Restaurant in the World

Perhaps it was prophetic when, in the March 2017 issue of Esquire U.S., the New York-based Swiss Daniel Humm was declared "the best chef in America." The writer, Jeff Gordiner wrote:

Eleven Madison Park has risen high and fast on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list in recent years; last year it landed at number three, two spots beneath chef Massimo Bottura's idiosyncratic Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy. Many chefs and restaurateurs say that it's only a matter of time before Eleven Madison Park hits number one, and it has been clear for at least half a decade now that Humm and Guidara would very much like that to happen.

Last night, April 5, at the reveal of the 2017 edition of the World's 50 Best in Melbourne, Humm's Eleven Madison Park rose to the top spot. Formerly in third place, it dethroned Massimo Bottura's eclectic Osteria Francescana (now No. 2) in Modena and edged out the consistently high-ranking El Cellar de Can Roca (now No. 3) in Spain. 

IMAGE Deanne Bañares Dimacali

Humm co-owns Eleven Madison Park with constant collaborator Will Guidara, who was surprised by their most recent accomplishment. In an interview with the New York Times, the latter expressed regret that they weren't back in Manhattan celebrating the victory with the team. 

Humm and Guidara joined Eleven Madison Park in 2006 and turned it from a casual brasserie to an upscale destination. In 2011, they purchased it from restaurateur Danny Meyer. Now a three Michelin-starred enterprise, it specializes in multi-course degustations inspired by ingredients sourced in New York. A restaurant that is fine dining to the highest degree, Eleven Madison Park still manages to keep the atomosphere light and friendly—a relaxed setting that allows you to fully appreicate its innovative cuisine. 

IMAGE Deanne Bañares Dimacali

IMAGE Deanne Bañares Dimacali

IMAGE Deanne Bañares Dimacali

IMAGE Deanne Bañares Dimacali

Eleven Madison Park will undergo renovations from June to September 2017; a pop-up in the Hamptons will be opened in the meantime.

Asia's Best Restaurant, Gaggan, was ranked seventh, while Dominique Ansel of Cronut fame was deemed World's Best Pastry Chef.

For the complete list, visit the World's 50 Best Restaurants website. Read here for more about Daniel Humm.