16/11/22
Virgilio Martínez and Pía León win Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2022
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S.Pellegrino, along with Acqua Panna, was once again proud sponsor of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2022, celebrating the best of fine dining in the region with an awards ceremony on 15 November 2022.
The restaurant with the honour of coming top of this year's prestigious ranking – as well as achieving second place in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 - was Central of Lima in Peru, run by chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía León. The couple and their restaurant are no strangers to the awards, having won the title and other prizes in numerous previous editions.
Second and third prizes went to Don Julio in Buenos Aires and Maido in Lima.
Following previous editions in Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Argentina, the 2022 ceremony returned to Mexico, taking place in Mérida in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism of the State of Yucatán. This was the first time the region's gastronomic community had gathered in person to celebrate the awards since 2019, making the occasion even more special.
A number of additional awards were announced during the ceremony, starting with the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award for Jonatan Gómez Luna of Le Chique in Cancún. Next, the Oteque restaurant in Rio de Janeiro was rewarded with this year's Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award. Then, receiving a brand-new accolade, Pablo Rivero of Don Julio took home the Beronia Latin America’s Best Sommelier Award.
A further series of special awards had been announced prior to the event, honouring restaurants and people who have made a positive impact in the region.
These included the Latin America's Best Female Chef Award, which went to Manoella ‘Manu’ Buffara of Manu in Curitiba, Brazil, admired for both her culinary and her cultural contribution to the region. The Icon Award 2022 was won by Rafael Rincón, a pioneer of social gastronomy in Chile and the founder of the non-profit Fundación Gastronomía Social. And finally, this year's American Express One To Watch Award, highlighting a rising star on the region's culinary scene, was won by Ancestral in La Paz in recognition of its leading role in showcasing Bolivian cuisine.
To find out more and see the full list of winners, visit Fine Dining Lovers.