Mexican-born Elena Reygadas, the chef behind Rosetta restaurant in Mexico City, has won the Veuve Clicquot Latin America’s Best Female Chef 2014 award, which celebrates her outstanding work, as well as the innovation and creativity that she serves to her diners.
The Veuve Clicquot Latin America’s Best Female Chef 2014 award will be presented on September 3rd, in the city of Lima, Peru, during the second awards ceremony for Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. This event – organised by William Reed Business Media, the people behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants – celebrates the gastronomic diversity and quality of Latin American restaurants. At the awards ceremony, the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014 list will also be revealed. Both the award and the list are voted for by a group of more than 250 industry experts from across the region.
Reygadas was born in Mexico, where she took her first steps into the kitchen scene; then she left home for New York to study at The French Culinary Institute where she honed her talent. Later she moved to London to work in some of its best kitchens, including Locanda Locatelli, which had a great impact on her career. She remained there for five years working next to chef Giorgio Locatelli and developed a deep affection for classic Italian cuisine.
In 2010, Elena Reygadas decided to return to Mexico and open her own restaurant, baptised Rosetta. Quickly, this simple, cosy and tastefully designed restaurant located in the exclusive district of Roma established itself as one of the best restaurants in the capital of Mexico. The seasons and finding the ideal ingredients for the enjoyment of the diners are the basis for the creation of Elena’s delicacies. Thus, her reflective yet imaginative cooking has earned her a feted reputation, which is ratified by this award.
Rosetta’s highlights include signature handmade pasta – including gnocchi-like malfatti and perfectly formed orecchiette. Likewise, the bread used in Rosetta’s terrific panzanella salad deserves a special mention. In its menu, Rosetta takes into account a variety of international influences, while remaining grounded in Mexico’s own ingredients and culinary traditions.
The Veuve Clicquot Latin America’s Best Female Chef award is inspired by the life and achievements of Madame Clicquot, who nearly 200 years ago set the standard for women in business.
Aymeric Sancerre, Veuve Clicquot’s Director of International Communications, explained: “Two centuries ago Madame Clicquot revolutionised Champagne with her extraordinary vision, her thirst for innovation and her quest for excellence. Elena’s career is testament to this and she is a true ambassador of these values in gastronomy today. I am proud that our Maison and rich heritage are associated with such a talented personality.”
William Drew, Group Editor of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, said: “We are very proud to present this award, in conjunction with Veuve Clicquot, to Elena. We feel that celebrating the success of brilliant female chefs is vitally important and will hopefully help inspire future generations of women, in Latin America and beyond, to enter the profession.”
Elena Reygadas, accepting her award, said: “This recognition is such an honour and I am deeply grateful. I wish to share it with everyone who works at Rosetta – without the team, this achievement would not have been possible. Sharing, I believe, is the main reason we´re in this profession; there is no greater pleasure than giving what you create to others. Ultimately it´s a reflection of our entire vision of the world.”
Finally, in addition to presenting the aforementioned award to Elena Reygadas at the awards ceremony on September 3rd, 2014, other prestigious awards will be announced such as The Diners Club® Lifetime Achievement Award and a new award: Latin America’s Best Pastry Chef 2014, sponsored by Cacao Barry. The awards ceremony will end with the announcement of the S.Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Latin America, which will be followed by a true Latin American party.
About William Reed Business Media:
William Reed Business Media has been organising The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list since 2002 and the Awards since 2003. The company launched Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in February 2013, followed by Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants in September 2013. William Reed Business Media is solely responsible for organising the awards, collating the votes and producing the list.
Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants – Manifesto:
Organised by William Reed Business Media – the people behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants ¬– Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants is a snapshot of the opinions and experiences of over 250 Latin American restaurant industry experts. What constitutes ‘best’ is left to the judgment of these trusted and well-travelled gourmets. The list is the result of a simple computation of votes. Given that this list is based on personal experiences it can never be definitive, but we believe it is an honourable survey of current tastes and a credible indicator of the best places to eat across Latin America.
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Elena Reygadas Recognised as the Veuve Clicquot Latin America’s Best Female Chef 2014
