Tag Archive for: Celler de Can Roca

World’s Number 1 Restaurant over the Years

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List started in 2002 and each year is organized and compiled by the British “Restaurant” Magazine.

It is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts.  Today, this prestigious list is awaited each year, with baited breath, to find out WHO is considered THE BEST Restaurant in the World!!! Over the last 14 years just 5 restaurants have received the Number 1 spot as Best Restaurant in the World!!  Spain has headed the prestigious Worlds 50 Best Restaurants List 7 times at Number 1, Denmark 4 times, USA twice and the UK once.

worlds best 50The first EVER restaurant to be awarded the prestigious title of World’s Number One Restaurant in the World was in 2002 –  El Bulli, by Spanish born, Catalan, chef  Ferran Adrià.  El Bulli, as a restaurant,  closed its doors in 2011 to transform into a creativity center. El Bulli sat proudly at the top of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants  List, in 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Now it is the turn of Spanish born, Catalan Brothers, Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca of El Celler de Can Roca, Girona. First awarded the Number 1 spot in 2013, the Boys are Back for a second time in 2015 – Current World Number One Restaurant!

El Bulli

Here are the World’s Number 1 Restaurants over the years, as awarded by Restaurant Magazine in the World’s Best 50 Awards Ceremonies:

2002: El Bulli – Ferran Adrià – Spain (currently closed)

2003 + 2004: The French Laundry – Thomas Keller – USA (currently, 2015, at Nº 50)

2005: The Fat Duck – Heston Blumenthal – UK (currently, 2015, at Nº 73)

2006, 2007, 2008 + 2009: El Bulli – Ferran Adrià – Spain (currently closed)

2010, 2011 + 2012: Noma – René Redzepi – Denmark (currently, 2015, at Nº 3)

2013: El Celler de Can Roca – Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca – Spain (currently, 2015, at Nº 1)

2014: Noma – René Redzepi – Denmark (currently, 2015, at Nº 3)

2015: El Celler de Can Roca – Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca – Spain

Can Roca

Here are the FULL 2015 RESULTS of the World’s Best Restaurants 2015 – from Number 1 – 100, Best Female Chef, Best Pastry Chef, One to Watch, Continetal results etc ..

 

In 2016 the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony will leave it’s home,  in London, and will be presented from New York City. The world ceremony will, for the first time ever, leave the English capital. It will be the first time in 14 years that the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants awards has left the UK.

 

El Bulli is currently closed and El Celler de Can Roca has a loooooong waiting list that far exceeds it’s capacity, but great restaurants are rife in Spain!! Why not join us on a Private Food, Wine and Culinary Tour of Spain (you could even combine with Portugal) covering foodie Spanish hotspots like San Sebastian, Barcelona, Madrid …. to indulge in some sublime Spanish dining.

World’s Best Restaurants 2015 FULL LIST

The World’s Best Restaurants 2015 FULL COMPLETE List from 1-100 plus the Individual Award Winners 2015 and Continental Restaurant Awards 2015: 

Worlds Best Top 3

1. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona (Spain) – World’s Best Restaurant + Best Restaurant in Europe

2. Osteria Francescana, Modena (Italy)

3. Noma, Copenhagen (Denmark)

4. Central, Lima (Peru) – Best Restaurant in South America

5. Eleven Madison Park, New York (USA) – Best Restaurant in North America

6. Mugaritz, San Sebastian (Spain)

7. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London (UK)

8. Narisawa, Tokyo (Japan) – Best Restaurant in Asia

9. D.O.M., Sao Paulo (Brazil)

10. Gaggan, Bangkok (Thailand)

11. Mirazur, Menton (France)

12. Arpège, Paris (France)

13. Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo (Spain) – Highest Climber Award 2015

14. Astrid Y Gastón, Lima (Peru)

15. Steirereck, Vienna (Austria)

16. Pujol, Mexico City (Mexico)

17. Arzak, San Sebastian (Spain)

18. Le Bernardin, New York (USA)

19. Azurmendi, Larrabetzu (Spain)

20. The Ledbury, London (UK)

21. Le Chateaubriand, Paris (France)

22. Nahm, Bangkok (Thailand)

23. White Rabbit, Moscow (Russia) – Highest New Entry Award 2015

24. Ultraviolet, Shanghai (China) – NEW ENTRY

25. Fäviken, Järpen (Sweden)

26. Alinea, Chicago (USA)

27. Piazza Duomo, Alba (Italy)

28. The Test Kitchen, Cape Town (South Africa) – Best Restaurant in Africa

29. Nihonryori RyuGin, Tokyo (Japan)

30. Vendôme, Bergisch Gladbach (Germany)

31. Restaurant Frantzén, Stockholm (Sweden)

32. Attica, Melbourne (Australia) – Best Restaurant in Australasia

33. Aqua, Wolfsburg (Germany)

34. Le Calandre, Rubano (Italy)

35. Quintonil, Mexico City (Mexico)

36. L’Astrance, Paris (France)

37. Biko, Mexico City (Mexico)

38. Amber, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

39. Quique Dacosta, Denia (Spain)

40. Per Se, New York (USA)

41. Mani, Sao Paulo (Brazil)

42. = Tickets, Barcelona (Spain) – NEW ENTRY

42. = Boragò, Santiago (Chile) – NEW ENTRY

44. Maido, Lima (Peru) – NEW ENTRY

45. Relae, Copenhagen (Denmark) – NEW ENTRY + Sustainable Restaurant Award 2015

46. Restaurant André, Singapore (Singapore)

47. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Aathénée, Paris (France)

48. Schloss Schauenstein, Fürstenau (Switzerland)

49. Blue Hill at Stone Barms, Tarrytown (USA) – NEW ENTRY

50. The French Laundry, Yountville (USA)

51. Geranium, Copenhagen (Denmark)

52. Tim Raue, Berlin (Germany)

53. Hertog Jan, Bruges (Belgium)

54. Hof Van Cleve, Kruishoutem (Belgium)

55. The Clove Club, London (UK)

56. Saison, San Francisco (USA)

57. Septime, Paris (France)

58. Quay, Sydney (Australia)

59. DiverXO, Madrid (Spain)

60. Hedone , London (UK)

61. Martin Berasategui, San Sebastián (Spain)

62. 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong (China)

63. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Paris, Paris (France)

64. Maaemo, Oslo (Norway)

65. Combal Zero, Rivoli (Italy)

66. Amass, Copenhagen (Denmark)

67. NoMad, New York (USA)

68. Nerua, Bilbao (Spain)

69. Momofuku Ko, New York (USA)

70. Waku Gin, Singapore

71. De Librije, Zwolle (Netherlands)

72. Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena (USA)

73. The Fat Duck, Bray (UK)

74. Jaan, Singapore

75. Coi, San Francisco (USA)

76. Fu He Hui, Shanghai (China)

77. Indian Accent, New Delhi (India)

78. La Maison Troisgros, Roanne (France)

79. Ryunique, Seoul (South Korea)

80. Daniel, New York (USA)

81. Joe Beef, Montreal (Canada)

82. Le Louis XV, Monte Carlo (Monaco)

83. Tegui, Buenos Aires (Argentina)

84. Sepia, Sydney (Australia) – The ONE to watch restaurant award 2015

85. L’Effervescence, Tokyo (Japan)

86. Hajime, Osaka (Japan)

87. Brae, Birregurra (Australia)

88. = The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek (South Africa)

88. = Zuma, Dubai (UAE)

90. Estela, New York (USA)

91. Belcanto, Lisbon (Portugal)

92. St. John, London (UK)

93. Jungsik, Seoul (South Korea)

94. Masa, New York (USA)

95. Fu1015, Shanghai (China)

96. Mikla, Istanbul (Turkey)

97. Esperanto, Stockholm (Sweden)

98. Vila Joya, Albufeira (Portugal)

99. Lung King Heen, Hong Kong (China)

100. Manresa, Los Gatos (USA)

Individual Awards 2015:

  • The Diners Club® Lifetime Achievement Award 2015: Daniel Boulud – Restaurant Daniel, New York, USA
  • The Veuve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef 2015: Hélène Darroze – Hélène Darroze, Paris, France and Hélène Darroze at the Connaught, London, UK
  •  The World’s Best Pastry Chef Award 2015, sponsored by Cacao Barry®: Albert Adrià – Tickets, Barcelona, Spain
  •  Chefs’ Choice Award 2015, sponsored by Gaggenau: Daniel Humm – Eleven Madison Park, New York, USA
  •  One To Watch Award 2015, sponsored by Silestone® by Cosentino: Sepia – Sydney, Australia
  • Sustainable Restaurant Award 2015, sponsored by Pago Los Balancines: Relae – Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Highest New Entry Award 2015, sponsored by LesConcierges: White Rabbit – Moscow, Russia at Number 23
  • Highest Climber Award 2015, sponsored by Lavazza: Asador Etxebarri – Atxondo, Spain at Number 13

 

Continental Restaurant Awards 2015 – SPONSORED BY ACQUA PANNA:

  • Best Restaurant in Europe – El Celler de Can Roca, Girona (Spain) at World’s Number 1
  • Best Restaurant in N. America – Eleven Madison Park, New York (USA) – at World’s Number 5
  • Best Restaurant in S. America – Central, Lima (Peru) at World’s Number 4
  • Best Restaurant in Asia – Narisawa, Tokyo (Japan) at World’s Number 8
  • Best Restaurant in Australasia – Attica, Melbourne (Australia) at World’s Number 32
  • Best Restaurant in Africa – The Test Kitchen, Cape Town (South Africa) at World’s Number 28

World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015 – El Celler de Can Roca Nº1 again!

LIVE,  from London’s Guildhall, the results are in for THE WORLD’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS 2015.

At the much anticipated World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony for 2015,  held this evening at the historic Guildhall in the City of London the Top 3 are :

No 1  El Celler de Can Roca, Girona Spain, was confirmed as the World’s No 1 Restaurant for 2015!worlds best 50

The Roca Boys are Back!!!!!!!!!!

With the newly announced World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2015 The Roca Brothers return to Nº1 !!!

2nd and 3rd place go to:

Number 2:  Massimo Bottura climbs to Nº2 with  Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy from last years Number 3!!!!

Number 3: NOMA falls to 3rd from last years Nº 1 !!!!!!

But, the Roca Brothers are not the only Spanish restaurant to feature among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015.

germans_roca

Spain is also represented, in the prestigious Top 50 list, by a number of world famous restaurants and HOT OFF THE World’s 50 Best Restaurants press here are the Spanish movers and shakers in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015 LIST: 

  • nº 6 Mugaritz – Errenteria, Gipuzkoa –   stays firm at  nº 6  and now celebrates 10 consecutive years in the Top 10  – since first entering the list (and Top 10) in 2006!
  • nº 13 Asador Etxebarri – Atxondo –     HIGHEST CLIMBER!  from nº 34 in 2014
  • nº 17 Arzak – San Sebastián –                     falls from nº 8 in 2014 !!
  • nº 19 Azurmendi – Larrabetzu –              climbs from nº 26 in 2014
  • nº 39 Quique Dacosta – Dénia –              climbs from nº 41 in 2014
  • nº 42  Tickets – Barcelona –                         climbs from nº 57 in 2014

Albert Adrià was also awarded with Best Pastry Chef 2015, taking the crown from last year’s Jordi Roca. Keeping it in Catalonia :-)

Here is the NEW COMPLETE LIST of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015:

  • 1. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona (Spain) – World’s Best Restaurant and Best Restaurant in Europe
  • 2. Osteria Francescana, Modena (Italy)
  • 3. Noma, Copenhagen (Denmark)
  • 4. Central, Lima (Peru) – Best Restaurant in South America, sponsored by Acqua Panna
  • 5. Eleven Madison Park, New York (USA) – Best Restaurant in North America, sponsored by Acqua Panna
  • 6. Mugaritz, San Sebastian (Spain)
  • 7. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London (UK)
  • 8. Narisawa, Tokyo (Japan) – Best Restaurant in Asia, sponsored by Acqua Panna
  • 9. D.O.M. , Sao Paulo (Brazil)
  • 10. Gaggan, Bangkok (Thailand)
  • 11. Mirazur, Menton (France)
  • 12. Arpège, Paris (France)
  • 13. Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo (Spain) – HIGHEST CLIMBER
  • 14. Astrid Y Gastón, Lima (Peru)
  • 15. Steirereck, Vienna (Austria)
  • 16. Pujol, Mexico City (Mexico)
  • 17. Arzak, San Sebastian (Spain)
  • 18. Le Bernardin, New York (USA)
  • 19. Azurmendi, Larrabetzu (Spain)
  • 20. The Ledbury, London (UK)
  • 21. Le Chateaubriand, Paris (France)
  • 22. Nahm, Bangkok (Thailand)
  • 23. White Rabbit, Moscow (Russia) – HIGHEST NEW ENTRY
  • 24. Ultraviolet, Shanghai (China) – NEW ENTRY
  • 25. Fäviken, Järpen (Sweden)
  • 26. Alinea, Chicago (USA)
  • 27. Piazza Duomo, Alba (Italy)
  • 28. The Test Kitchen, Cape Town (South Africa) – Best Restaurant in Africa, sponsored by Acqua Panna
  • 29. Nihonryori RyuGin, Tokyo (Japan)
  • 30. Vendôme, Bergisch Gladbach (Germany)
  • 31. Restaurant Frantzén, Stockholm (Sweden)
  • 32. Attica, Melbourne (Australia) – Best Restaurant in Australasia, sponsored by Acqua Panna
  • 33. Aqua, Wolfsburg (Germany)
  • 34. Le Calandre, Rubano (Italy)
  • 35. Quintonil, Mexico City (Mexico)
  • 36. L’Astrance, Paris (France)
  • 37. Biko, Mexico City (Mexico)
  • 38. Amber, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
  • 39. Quique Dacosta, Denia (Spain)
  • 40. Per Se, New York (USA)
  • 41. Mani, Sao Paulo (Brazil)
  • 42. Tickets, Barcelona (Spain) – NEW ENTRY
  • and Boragò, Santiago (Chile) – NEW ENTRY
  • 44. Maido, Lima (Peru) – NEW ENTRY
  • 45. Relae, Copenhagen (Denmark) – NEW ENTRY and SUSTAINABLE RESTAURANT
  • 46. Restaurant André, Singapore (Singapore)
  • 47. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Aathénée, Paris (France)
  • 48. Schloss Schauenstein, Fürstenau (Switzerland)
  • 49. Blue Hill at Stone Barms, Tarrytown (USA) – NEW ENTRY
  • 50. The French Laundry, Yountville (USA)

 

But it doesn’t end at 50! Here is the COMPLETE LIST OF The World’s 50 Best Restaurants from 51 – 100 including DiverXO at nº 59, Martín Berasategui at nº61 and NEW ENTRY Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao at nº 68.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List, which is now in its 13th year, is organised and compiled by Restaurant magazine and sponsored by S Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. It is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

Next year, 2016, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony will be leaving London, where it has been held since its first year, and heading to New York City!!!

Congratulations to our great Spanish Superchefs for their fantastic World rated restaurants and another year in the prestigious list!

If you would like to experience some of the best restaurants Spain has on offer, then something like our Ultimate Gourmet Tour   is perfect for sophisticated diners who are looking to experience the best of Spanish cuisine.

Worlds Number 1 Restaurant 2015?

Can Michelin 3* restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, knock NOMA in Copenhagen off the top spot this year at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards to be held this year in June ?  All will be revealed on Monday!!

El Celler de Can Roca

 

El Celler de Can Roca was awarded the acclaimed Nº 1 status, at the head of Restaurant Magazine’s prestigious list, in 2013, but last year Noma reclaimed it’s crown as Number 1 Restaurant  in the World for 2014.

Noma was first awarded the Nº 1 spot in 2010, after stealing the crown that El Bulli had held for the previous 4 years.  2011 and 2012 saw René Redzepi winning the award yet again, but in 2013 Noma lost  first place position to El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, which became the new World’s Number 1 Restaurant for just 1 year, 2013.

Just a year lapse or is Noma back on top for good?

All will be revealed on June 1st when the World’s Best Restaurants for 2015 are announced!

Noma - Nº 1 restaurant 2014

We, at Gourmand Breaks, do not cover Denmark but why not join us on a Gourmet Private tour of Spain and/or Portugal  to escape into a Gourmet World of sublime enjoyment with a chance to dine in top restaurants in Barcelona, Madrid or Lisbon for example.

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Michelin Stars Spain 2015 – EL CELLER DE CAN ROCA Restaurant by Joan Roca

The Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal 2015 is just days away! We’ll keep you updated with the results of the Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain for 2015 on Wednesday, but in the meantime we’re showcasing some of the Best Michelin starred Chefs in Spain, if not the World! Our own Pre-Michelin Guide Spain 2015 SuperChef Series by Gourmand Breaks is an insight into the world of some of the current Michelin 3 star and Michelin 2 star chefs in Spain!

Previously, we showcased Michelin 3 star chefs Juan Mari Arzak, Martín Berasategui, Carme Ruscalleda, Quique Dacosta and David Muñoz plus Michelin 2 star chefs Paco Pérez, Andoni Luis Aduritz and Jordi Cruz.  In no particular order, today a Michelin 3 Starred chef with one of the Best Restaurants in the World and 2 expert side-kicks:

Joan Roca– Proudly heads the cuisine at Michelin 3 star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, which is also placed 2nd in the Top 50 restaurants of the World list for 2014 by Restaurant magazine.  To be enjoyed on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours :)

Joan Roca

Joan Roca was born in 1964 in Girona. His earliest memories of cooking are with his mother in the kitchen of their family owned restaurant  “Can Roca”, which opened in 1967 serving traditional Catalan cuisine. It is no surprise, therefore, that Joan Roca along with his brothers,  Josep and Jordi, ended up in the restaurant business.

Joan Roca studied at culinary school in Girona and worked at Georges Blanc in Vonnas as well as with Ferran Adrià at El Bulli.

In 1986 Joan Roca, along with his brothers, opened El Celler de Can Roca, next door to their parents’ restaurant Can Roca. The restaurant, however, was small, it was a tight, ill-suited space, with a small kitchen and a modest decor. In 2007 El Celler de Can Roca moved, basically down the road, to its current purpose built building with a kitchen large enough for 30 chefs and a dining room featuring wooden floors and simply dressed tables. The word “Roca” in the Catalan (and Spanish) language means “Rock” so on each table sits three stones which represent the three Roca brothers.

El Celler de Can Roca serves traditional Catalan cuisine, but with creative twists and unusual presentations via avant-garde and molecular gastronomy techniques. The wine cellar at El Celler de Can Roca restaurant  is extensive to say the least and houses around 60,000 bottles.

El Celler de Can Roca entered the Michelin starred restaurant  world in Spain with its first Michelin star in 1995. In 2002 El Celler de Can Roca received it’s second Michelin star and in 2009 the 3rd star arrived making El Celler de Can Roca the Michelin 3 star restaurant that it is today.

In 2006 El Celler de Can Roca entered the acclaimed Worlds Best 50 restaurants list, compiled by Restaurant Magazine, in 21st place, rising to 11th place in 2007 and then falling to 26th place in 2008.  In 2009 El Celler de Can Roca rose to 5th place and since then has always appeared in the Top 10 with it reaching the Number 1 spot, THE Best Restaurant in the World, in 2013. El Celler de Can Roca is currently, for 2014, placed in 2nd place behind Noma by René Redzepi, in Copenhagen.

Joan Roca dish

But, as mentioned, Joan Roca is not a solo artist here at Michelin 3 star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca. While Joan oversees the cuisine, his 2 younger brothers complete the restaurant with Josep selecting the wines and Jordi handling the pastry.

The 3 musketeers, or Rocateers if you will, react and interact with each other, combining their fortes, to present one the World’s Best Restaurants and Michelin 3 Starred restaurant El Celler de Can Roca:

Josep Roca – the middle brother and sommelier

Wine pairings are important and are evident in many of the signature dishes of El Celler de Can Roca, which are the result of a close collaboration between Josep and Joan – Josep breaks down the notes of a wine and Joan creates a dish to complement it.

Jordi Roca – the youngest brother and dessert chef

Desserts at El Celler de Can Roca also take on a modern twist.  Jordi Roca also studied at the Girona School of Hotel Industry and when finished he joined The Celler team. Here in the pastry and desserts section, he got to know Damian Allsop and discovered the secret of the craft of pastry. In 2000 when Allsop left El Celler de Can Roca, Jordi Roca became the manager of the restaurant desserts.  Jordi Roca is also the driving force behind Rocambolesc, an alternative but affordable vintage style ice cream shop in the center of Girona.

Also by the Roca Brothers:

Mas Marroch – located on the outskirts of Girona it is the El Celler de Can Roca branch for banquets and celebrations. It is a 15th century masia surrounded by nature in the middle of fruit trees offering El Celler de Can Roca classic contempory cuisine for banquets and celebrations.

Roca Moo – Barcelona

Michelin 1 star restaurant in the Hotel Omm, Barcelona. Modern Catalan cuisine with a special twist, overseen by El Celler de Can Roca.

Roca Bar – Barcelona

Casual yet creative cuisine served in the lobby bar of the Hotel Omm, Barcelona. The Roca brothers take on street-food that also inludes an oyster bar and hand sliced Joselito ham.

El Somni  a cross-media creation taking several forms: an ultimate dining experience, the making of a film, the conception of two exhibitions and the publishing of a book.  All outlining the process of creation and adventure and a union between the arts and the kitchen at the service of thought.

El Celler de Can Roca On Tour – In August of 2014 El Celler de Can Roca  hit the road, literally, staff and all, with “Roca & Roll,” the Rocas’ response to numerous requests to open restaurants worldwide, bringing El Celler on a culinary tour to cities across the globe. This year, with the collaboration of the financial group BBVA, they took their skills to the United States, to Houston and Dallas, before going south to the Mexican cities of Monterrey and Mexico City, followed by Bogotá, Colombia and ended in Lima, Peru.

Celler de Can Roca

With Spanish Chefs taking the World by storm, now is the time to visit Spain, home to 10% of the World’s Best Restaurants and numerous Michelin starred Restaurants!  On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain.  Contact us for your personalized quote.

World’s Best Restaurants of 2014 – TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards

It seems we could dedicate our whole blog just to the Roca Brothers and their restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca, in Girona, Spain.  These boys do not stop with their award-winning perfection and this time, it’s the World’s Best Restaurants of 2014 – TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards.

germans_roca

TripAdvisor, the world travel reference for many, has announced its annual Travelers’ Choice awards and in the best restaurants around the world category, Michelin 3* restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, in Girona, Spain is in 1st place!!  This year they beat off over 350 fine dining establishments, worldwide, to take the Number One spot for their “sublime” (a word we hear frequently from diners there) cuisine.

El Celler de Can Roca, run by 3 Catalan brothers, is currently ranked, by Restaurant Magazine, as the second best restaurant in the World (Nº1 in 2013) on their acclaimed World’s Best Restaurants for 2014 list.  At the same awards ceremony, held in London back in April, Jordi Roca not only celebrated the restaurants’ success with his brothers, Joan and Josep, he was also crowned The World’s Best Pastry Chef.

Jordi Roca

But, apart from El Celler de Can Roca, in Girona, at Nº1,  2 other Spanish restaurants feature in the Top 10 list of the World’s Best Restaurants of 2014 – TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards:

CLUB ALLARD

El Club Allard, in Madrid, at Nº6.

This now Michelin 2 star restaurant started life as a private club in 1998, but opened its doors to the public in 2007.

 

 

Martín Berasategui

Martín Berasategui, in Lasarte – San Sebastián, at Nº10.

This Michelin 3* restaurant is also ranked   35th in the acclaimed World’s Best 50 Restaurants List compiled by Restaurant Magazine.

 

Special mention should also be made to DiverXO in Madrid, awarded 15th place in the World’s Best Restaurants of 2014 – TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. Groundbreaking chef David Muñoz is on the rise and received the 3rd Michelin Star for DiverXO when the NEW Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2014 was presented last November. Madrid’s only Michelin 3 star restaurant DiverXO was then awarded 94th place in the acclaimed World’s 50 (well 100) Best Restaurants Awards List of 2014.

 

The Top 10 World’s Best Restaurants of 2014 – TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners are:

  • 1.   El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain
  • 2.   Midsummer House, Cambridge, England
  • 3.   Maison Lameloise, Chagny, France (last year’s winner)
  • 4.   The French Café, Auckland, New Zealand
  • 5.   Alinea, Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • 6.   El Club Allard, Madrid, Spain
  • 7.   Epicure, Paris, France
  • 8.   Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, Great Milton, England
  • 9.   Le Gavroche, London, England
  • 10. Martin Berasategui, San Sebastian, Spain

 

Spain is the country with the most restaurants featured in the list of the 25 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners with a total of 4! The UK, France and the USA each feature 3 restaurants. Argentina and Denmark are presented by 2 restaurants each, while Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Greece, South Africa, China and Hungary each have 1.

The TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winners are based on the TripAdvisor travelers’ community and the millions of unbiased reviews and opinions received over a 12month timeframe. The procedure evaluates the quantity and quality of the  reviews that worldwide restaurants receive on TripAdvisor.

With Spanish Chefs taking the World by storm, yet again, now is the time to visit Spain with some of the World’s Best Restaurants and numerous Michelin stars!  On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Catalonia, Madrid and The Basque Country.  Contact us for your personalized quote.

 

The Boys are Back in Town !!

Rock Stars tour World stadiums and artists exhibit in International galleries so why shouldn’t Super-chefs get out and about and spread their art, knowledge, creativity and expertise. This is exactly what happened on the The Roca & Roll World Tour 2014!

Roca Brothers on Tour

Foto courtesy of BBVA Celler Tour : http://www.bbvacellertour.com/en/home/

The month of August saw Michelin 3* restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, Girona – Spain, close its doors. But the Boys (Joan, Josep and Jordi) weren’t soaking up the sun on the beach for the Summer holidays, they were on a Cooking Tour Experience for 5 weeks!

Along with the collaboration of the financial group BBVA, the Roca brothers, and the restaurant’s exquisitely trained chefs and team, headed first to the United States, to Houston and Dallas, before going south to the Mexican cities of Monterrey and Mexico City, followed by Bogotá, Colombia and ending in Lima, Peru.

A tour about spreading knowledge but also of aquiring it.  The best local talent and products were sought out to prepare the four different menus designed specifically for each country culminating in nearly 50,000 dishes for 2,700 BBVA customers and guests over the four countries.

Celler de Can Roca

But, home is where the heart is and The (Roca) Boys are Back in Town (Girona) and Michelin 3* restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca, has opened its doors again.

Not that you need proof that they’re back, but, we had some guests have lunch there last week and these are their words :

” ….. would you believe that we have just left the restaurant after 4 and a half hours of eating!!! It was a once in a lifetime experience. The food was magically displayed with a global concept for each course. Impeccable service.‎ We were fortunate to speak with Joan Roca at the end of our adventure. What a day! “

Join us on a Private Food and Wine Tour of Spain to include the Emporda region, North of Barcelona, like our Highlights of Spain Luxury Tour, and you too could have the opportunity to dine at El Celler de Can Roca. But, be warned, this fantastic Michelin 3 * restaurant has a waiting list longer than its capacity!

El Celler de Can Roca ON TOUR

World’s Number 2 restaurant (last years Nº1), and Michelin 3 starred, El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain will be closing it’s doors this summer 2014!  But not to worry, it’s only for 5 weeks as the Roca Brothers head West to the US.

Can we expect to see Joan, Josep and Jordi in cowboy boots and stetsons? Maybe, as after all the Roca brothers are hitting Texas!  El Celler de Can Roca is run by head chef Joan, sommelier Josep, and pastry chef Jordi, who was recently awarded the coveted title of World’s Best Pastry Chef 2014.    The tour is a fantastic opportunity for other parts of the World to experience the sublime dining offered in Girona, Spain, all year round.  All three brothers, along with 20 members of their staff will be recreating their Girona based restaurant in Houston and Dallas before heading South to Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

The tour is being sponsored by Spanish financial services group BBVA who  are transporting the soul of El Celler de Can Roca to the US to be recreated for clients of BBVA Compass, BBVA Group’s U.S. franchise.

A “somni” (dream) come true for many of our Gourmand Breaks clients and El Celler de Can Roca fans in Texas – “Bon profit” as the Catalans say!

THE Top 50 Best Restaurants in the World – List

Spanish restaurant Celler de Can Roca,  Girona based Michelin 3* restaurant, is the current No 1 Restaurant in the World!  Is it time for a change? or can Can Roca  hold onto their acclaimed status at the head of  the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for another year?  The much-anticipated World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards for 2014, will be held next month in London, in the company of the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.  Meanwhile, the current Top 50 list is detailed below.

Organised and compiled by Restaurant Magazine, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2013  LIST ( from 1 – 50 )

1 El Celler de Can Roca Girona, Spain

2 Noma Copenhagen, Denmark

3 Osteria Francescana Modena, Italy

4 Mugaritz San Sebastián, Spain

5 Eleven Madison Park New York, USA

6 D.O.M. São Paulo, Brazil

7 Dinner by Heston Blumenthal London, UK

8 Arzak San Sebastián, Spain

9 Steirereck Vienna, Austria

10 Vendôme Bergisch Gladbach, Germany

11 Per Se New York, USA

12 Frantzén/Lindeberg Stockholm, Sweden

13 The Ledbury London, UK

14 Astrid y Gastón Lima, Peru

15 Alinea Chicago, USA

16 L’Arpège Paris, France

17 Pujol Mexico City, Mexico

18 Le Chateaubriand Paris, France

19 Le Bernardin New York, USA

20 Narisawa Tokyo, Japan

21 Attica Melbourne, Australia

22 Nihonryori RyuGin Tokyo, Japan

23 L’Astrance Paris, France

24 L’Atelier Saint-Germain de Joël Robuchon Paris, France

25 Hof Van Cleve Kruishoutem, Belgium

26 Quique Dacosta Dénia, Spain

27 Le Calandre Rubano, Italy

28 Mirazur Menton, France

29 Daniel New York, USA

30 Aqua Wolfsburg, Germany

31 Biko Mexico City, Mexico

32 Nahm Bangkok, Thailand

33 The Fat Duck Bray, UK

34 Fäviken Järpen, Sweden

35 Oud Sluis Sluis, Netherlands

36 Amber Hong Kong, China

37 Vila Joya Albufeira, Portugal

38 Restaurant Andre Singapore

39 8 1/2 Otto E Mezzo Bombana Hong Kong, China

40 Combal.Zero Rivoli, Italy

41 Piazza Duomo Alba, Italy

42 Schloss Schauenstein Fürstenau, Switzerland

43 Mr & Mrs Bund Shanghai, China

44 Asador Etxebarri Atxondo, Spain

45 Geranium Copenhagen, Denmark

46 Mani São Paulo, Brazil

47 The French Laundry Yountville, USA

48 Quay Sydney, Australia

49 Septime Paris, France

50 Central Lima, Peru

 

 

 

 

WORLD PREMIERE of The Roca Dream “El Somni”

On the 10th of February 2014, at 19.30h, Berlin will host the WORLD PREMIERE of The Dream.  “El Somni”, directed by Franc Aleu and starring Josep, Joan and Jordi Roca, hits the big time and the big screen!!

This fantastic film is about the 3 great Roca brothers from Girona, Catalonia, and how they amazingly combine Cooking and Art.

El Somni is a Musically Gastronomic Fusion that takes us on a journey of 12 acts and 12 courses, unfolding in perfect harmony, with emotive sights and unique tastes.

The ingenuity of the 3 brothers surpasses expectation, as 12 personalities senses are heightened to the max as this multi sensory dining experience develops.

The film premieres in Berlin, at the 64th Berlinale Film Festival, where afterwards Josep, Joan and Jordi Roca will recreate their masterpiece in the “Gropius Mirror” restaurant, an elegant mirrored 1920’s style marquee.

Not just a dream, their restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, in Girona, is number one on the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants!