Vegetables can be found in almost every restaurant, but not all chefs know how to treat them with the same care, nor do they have the same sensitivity when it comes to seeing them as an essential product for preserving our future. With the intention of rewarding the best vegetable cuisine proposals in the world, the We're Smart guide was born a few years ago. This year, they celebrated their awards ceremony in Valencia. It took place this morning at the CaixaForum with a slight delay, as the gala, originally scheduled for November, had to wait a month due to the effects of the cold drop.
However, the ceremony has brought good news for our cuisine, as El Invernadero, run by chef Rodrigo de la Calle in Madrid, has finally been proclaimed the number 1 restaurant in the world. It is worth noting that this establishment, a pioneer in Spain in offering high-end vegetarian menus - in fact, De la Calle is known as the “father of gastrobotany” - had been on the verge of achieving this recognition for two years, having been ranked second in 2022 and 2023.
Chef Ricard Camarena
The second best vegetable restaurant in the world is now Central, by Virgilio Martínez and Pía León in Lima (Peru), which has climbed positions for their work with high-altitude vegetables from the Andes. The third place has been awarded to Piazza Duomo, located in the Italian municipality of Alba, which makes use of all the green raw materials cultivated in the Fiorentina orchard, amidst the vineyards of the legendary Barolo.
In Peru
The second best vegetable restaurant in the world is now Central
Spanish green cuisine has won more awards, as two other Valencian restaurants have achieved a high position in the ranking: we are talking about Ricard Camarena, who has risen to the 6th place, and La Salita (now at 11th place), both located in the Valencian capital. In addition, Begoña Rodrigo, from La Salita, has been named the female vegetarian chef of the year. The Valencian restaurant Fierro, led by Carito Lourenço and Germán Carrizo, has also been awarded the Discovery Award in Spain.
Chef Begoña Rodrigo, in charge of La Salita
Valencia is the European Green Capital 2024 because sustainability is in its DNA and it is a hub of gastronomy that embodies these values. We are an example of how tradition and innovation can go hand in hand to build a sustainable future. This gastronomic model, which respects the environment and minimizes impact, is our way of saying that change begins locally, from what we do with our hands and our ideas," explained the mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, during an awards ceremony where the Green Guide 2024 was also unveiled. The guide includes over 1,300 restaurants from around the world classified by their creativity and commitment to sustainability.