Who is the best chef in the world in 2025?
In 2025, Pam Soontornyanakij, Mauro Colagreco, Massimo Bottura, and Dominique Crenn continue to earn top honors. Awards like Michelin Stars, global rankings such as The World’s 50 Best, and growing attention to sustainability and innovation all contribute to how chefs are recognized.
In this guide, you’ll find a breakdown of the best chefs by region, their signature styles, and how chefs like you can pursue a global culinary path.
Top 10 Chefs in the World (2025 List)
1. Joel Robuchon – France:
31 Michelin Stars
Though he passed away in 2018, Joël Robuchon remains one of the most legendary chefs in culinary history. Known as the “Chef of the Century,” he held the record for the most Michelin Stars ever awarded to a chef. His influence on modern French cuisine is unmatched, with signature dishes like “pomme purée” the world’s most luxurious mashed potatoes!
2. Alain Ducasse – France
21 Michelin Stars
One of the most celebrated French chefs alive, Ducasse runs a global empire of over 30 restaurants. He’s known for refined French cooking, sustainability advocacy, and training the next generation of chefs through his culinary schools.
3. Gordon Ramsay – UK
17 Michelin Stars
Beyond TV fame, Gordon Ramsay is one of the most recognized chefs in the world. Known for his high standards and bold personality, he has built a global brand while maintaining excellence in fine dining.
4. Yannick Alleno – France
16 Michelin Stars
A pioneer of Modern Cuisine, Alléno is known for his technical innovation and deep exploration of sauces. His flagship, Pavillon Ledoyen in Paris, is one of the most Michelin-starred independent establishments in the world.
5. Pierre Gagnaire – France
14 Michelin Stars
Awarded his first Michelin Star at 26, Gagnaire is often described as a poet of the kitchen. A leader in fusion cuisine, his approach blends emotion, art, and bold culinary experimentation.
6. Martin Berasategui – Spain
12 Michelin Stars
Berasategui holds the most Michelin Stars of any Spanish chef. His cuisine combines Basque culinary roots with avant-garde techniques.
7. Enrico Bartolini
12 Michelin Stars
Italy’s most decorated Michelin-star chef, Bartolini is known for his modern interpretation of traditional Italian cuisine. He emphasizes local, seasonal ingredients with a creative flair.
8. Anne-Sophie Pic
10 Michelin Stars
A self-taught chef, she reclaimed her family’s Michelin honors in 2007 and was named Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2011. Her cuisine blends emotion, precision, and seasonal freshness.
9. Andreas Caminada
9 Michelin Stars
Caminada is known for turning every meal into a multi-sensory experience. His signature restaurant, Schloss Schauenstein, is set in a historic castle and consistently ranks among the world’s best.
10. Carme Ruscalleda
7 Michelin Stars
Renowned for celebrating Catalan heritage, Ruscalleda crafts her menus around seasonal Mediterranean ingredients. She remains a role model for aspiring women in the kitchen.
What Awards Determine the Best Chefs in the World?
When it comes to deciding who the best chefs are, many prestigious awards set the global standard. Each recognizes excellence in different ways. Some focus on the chef, others on the restaurant experience, creativity, or cultural impact. Here’s a breakdown of the most influential culinary awards in 2025:
Michelin Stars
As a Michelin inspector once said, “A Michelin Star is awarded for the food on the plate. Nothing else.” This is one of the highest recognitions a chef can receive.
What Do Michelin Stars Mean?
1 Star: High-quality cooking with great ingredients and clear, delicious flavors.
2 Stars: Excellent food that shows the chef’s skill, creativity, and personal style.
3 Stars: Exceptional cuisine—elevated to an art form. These chefs are at the top of their game.
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants
Celebrates innovation, creativity, and influence in the global dining scene.
- Voted on by over 1,000 chefs, food critics, and industry professionals
- Recognizes both global and regional excellence
Asia’s & Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants
- Regional editions of The World’s 50 Best that highlight local excellence.
- Voted on by chefs, critics, and journalists within each region
- Spotlight rising chefs, regional cuisines, and emerging culinary destinations
James Beard Awards (USA)
Often called the “Oscars” of the U.S. food world.
- Honors outstanding chefs, restaurants, and rising stars in the U.S.
- Recognizes culinary leadership, innovation, and cultural contributions
- Awards include Best Chef by region, Rising Star Chef, and Outstanding Restaurant
Did you know? James Beard was a pioneer of American cuisine. Host of the first food TV show and an early advocate for local ingredients. He helped shape a national culinary identity and inspired generations of chefs and authors.
La Liste
A data-driven ranking of the top 1,000 restaurants worldwide.
- Combines critic reviews, guidebook scores, and online ratings
- Offers a more analytical and less subjective approach to global rankings
Best Chefs by Region
Europe
– Massimo Bottura – Italy
His restaurant, Osteria Francescana, has been ranked No. 1 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and holds 3 Michelin Stars. Bottura’s “Oops! I Dropped the Lemon Tart” is a signature that blends storytelling with culinary mastery.
– Anne-Sophie Pic – France
One of the most awarded female chefs in the world, Pic is known for dishes like Berlingots de chèvre fumé (smoked goat’s cheese pasta). Her cuisine is marked by elegance, emotion, and seasonal balance.
– Dabiz Muñoz – Spain
Bold and unconventional, Muñoz fuses Asian and Spanish flavors in high-energy dishes like Dim Sum Iberico. His flagship restaurant DiverXO in Madrid holds 3 Michelin Stars and earned him the title of Best Chef in the World by The Best Chef Awards in 2021 and 2022.
North America
– Thomas Keller – USA
A giant in American fine dining, Keller runs both The French Laundry and Per Se, each with 3 Michelin Stars. His focus on precision, technique, and simplicity has defined modern American cuisine. Dishes like Oysters and Pearls are now his classics!
– Enrique Olvera – Mexico
A champion of contemporary Mexican cuisine, Olvera reinterprets traditional flavors in refined dishes like Mole Madre, Mole Nuevo. His restaurant Pujol regularly ranks in The World’s 50 Best, and he is a global ambassador for Mexican culinary heritage.
– Dominique Crenn – USA
Crenn is known for poetic, modern French cuisine. Her restaurant, Atelier Crenn, turns emotion and memory into food experiences. Some of her signature dishes include Sea Urchin with Licorice and Apple Foam.
Asia
Yoshihiro Narisawa – Japan
Renowned for his “Innovative Satoyama” cuisine, which focuses on sustainability and nature, Narisawa creates dishes using soil, moss, and seasonal Japanese forest ingredients.
Gaggan Anand – India / Thailand
Known for progressive Indian cuisine and playful dishes like Lick It Up (served with music), Gaggan’s Bangkok restaurant has repeatedly ranked No. 1 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. He brings emotion, performance, and reinvention to Indian cooking.
Seiji Yamamoto – Japan
A master of kaiseki and molecular techniques, Yamamoto blends tradition with science. His restaurant Nihonryori RyuGin has earned 3 Michelin Stars and global acclaim for dishes like Sea Eel with Foie Gras Sauce.
Latin America & Africa
Virgilio Martínez – Peru
At Central in Lima, Martínez explores Peru’s biodiversity from the Amazon to the Andes. Signature dishes reflect different altitudes and ecosystems. Central has ranked No. 1 on The World’s 50 Best and Virgilio is known for pioneering native-ingredient-based haute cuisine.
Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen – South Africa
The first South African chef to earn a Michelin Star, Jan Hendrik blends French technique with South African ingredients and stories. His restaurant JAN in Nice celebrates dishes like Biltong with Truffle and Amarula Panna Cotta.
How Are the World’s Best Chefs Ranked?
Awards like Michelin Stars and The World’s 50 Best Restaurants are well known,but there’s more to becoming one of the best chefs in the world. Ranking systems consider several factors beyond just great taste.
Here’s what defines culinary excellence in 2025:
1. Culinary Innovation: Top chefs push boundaries. Whether it’s using new techniques, reimagining classic dishes, or fusing global flavors, innovation is key of culinary leadership.
2. Consistency Across Service: Delivering excellence day after day. Consistency in taste, presentation, and experience sets elite chefs apart.
3. Sustainability and Ethics: Environmental responsibility and ethical sourcing matter more than ever. Chefs committed to local ingredients, zero waste, and sustainable practices are gaining global recognition.
4. Global Media & Influence: Influence in books, documentaries, social media, or mentorship impacts a chef’s global presence. Visibility and storytelling help define a chef’s legacy.
5. Peer Recognition & Awards: Being honored by fellow chefs, critics, and award institutions like Michelin or James Beard signals high respect in the culinary industry and confirms a chef’s place among the best.
Turn Your Passion for Food into a Global Career
Feeling inspired by the world’s top chefs? Now imagine yourself training in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Spain, like Mantua, Versatil or Atrio; creating your own path in the culinary world.
With our programs at Alliance Abroad, we’ll help you make this a reality. Our international hospitality and culinary programs are designed to help you get hands-on experience in some of the world’s most exciting food destinations, as Spain, Canada, the U.S. and Australia.
Whether you’re starting out in the culinary industry, or even if you’re already experience in the field, all our programs offer you:
- Hands-on training and mentorship
- Global experience and cultural exchange
- Guaranteed placement
- Resume and interview preparation
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Plus, the Hospitality and Culinary Internship in Spain, includes housing and meals during the whole duration of the program. And in Australia, trainees and skilled professionals get hostel accommodation for 5 nights when they arrive in country.
“I’d highly recommend Alliance Abroad Group to anyone looking for a sponsorship and for a new role. They took the time to truly understand what I was looking for in my next opportunity and found me a role that matched my requirements perfectly. Additionally they were very thorough with the orientation which helped me a lot once I came to Australia. Thank you so much for making it happen.”
– Swanand, Intern & Trainee Program
Looking for Inspiration?
Beyond the world-famous chefs we’ve highlighted in this article, there are many other culinary leaders making waves with their creativity and influence. If you want fresh ideas, trends, and a peek behind the scenes of top kitchens, here are some renowned chefs you should be following on social media:
1. Umberto Bombana – @umbertobombana
Known as the “King of White Truffles”. Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award – Asia (2017); “World Ambassador of the White Truffle”.
2. Rene Redzepi – @reneredzepinoma
The visionary behind Noma in Copenhagen, celebrated for redefining Nordic cuisine. Named “World’s Best Restaurant in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2021.
3. Santiago Lastra – @santiagolas
Mexican chef behind KOL in London, blending Mexican roots with British ingredients. His restaurant ranks #17 in World’s 50 Best (in 2024).
4. Jaime Pesaque – @jaimepesaque
Peruvian chef famous for Mayta in Lima and his modern take on Peruvian flavors. Mayta was named Best Restaurant in the World (World Culinary Awards 2022); recognized as Best Gastronomic Space in Latin America (2024).
5. Helena Rizzo – @helenarizzo
Brazilian chef of Maní in São Paulo, celebrated for blending local traditions with global techniques. Named Latin America’s Best Female Chef.
6. Pia León – @pialeonkjolle
Co-founder of Central and chef-owner of Kjolle, known for highlighting Peru’s biodiversity. The World’s Best Female Chef 2023 finalist.
7. Gaggan Anand – @gaggan_anand
Bangkok-based chef pushing the boundaries of Indian cuisine with a playful, modern twist. ranked Asia’s No. 1 multiple years; Best Chef In The World (The Best Chef Awards) 2021–22.
8. Rasmus Munk – @rasmusmunkalchemist
Chef of Alchemist in Copenhagen, known for his theatrical “holistic cuisine” dining experiences. awarded Best Chef Science Award and Best Chef in the World 2024 (The Best Chef Awards).
9. Albert Adria – @albertadriaprojects
A creative force from Spain, co-founder of elBulli, and a pioneer of molecular gastronomy. multiple years in World’s 50 Best; former Best Pastry Chef; continues innovation through Enigma projects.
10. Clare Smyth – @chefclaresmyth
The first female British chef to earn 3 Michelin Stars for her London restaurant, Core by Clare Smyth. Named Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best (2018).
These chefs are shaping how we experience food worldwide. By following them, you’ll discover fresh ideas, bold flavors, and a glimpse into the passion and creativity driving the future of gastronomy.
And while this article highlights some of the top chefs in the world in 2025, it’s important to note that rankings are never set in stone. Awards, regional preferences, new restaurant openings, and even media buzz can shift the spotlight from one chef to another.
Think of this list as a snapshot of current culinary excellence rather than a definitive ranking. It’s an inspiring overview of chefs who are making a global impact right now.
Turning Passion Into Opportunity
Whether you dream of earning Michelin stars or simply want to learn from the best, the path starts with passion, curiosity, and hands-on experience. At Alliance Abroad, our goal is to help you reach those dreams, through immersive hospitality and culinary programs abroad, full 24/7 support from day one, and guidance every step of the way.
We’re here to turn your passion into real-world opportunities and unforgettable experiences.
The world’s top chefs prove that with dedication, creativity, and a global mindset, you can cook your way to extraordinary opportunities, anywhere in the world!
