On 10 December, the “We’re Smart© Awards” 2024 celebrated vegetable gastronomy, crowning “El Invernadero” (Valencia, Spain) as the best vegetable restaurant in the world. The Luxembourgish restaurant “Ma Langue Sourit” gained this year the 68th place.
On Tuesday 10 December 2024, Valencia was buzzing to the rhythm of the “We’re Smart© Awards“. The event, orchestrated by We’re Smart©, the leading name in fruit and vegetable cuisine, honoured the finest actors in the world of green gastronomy, while highlighting sustainable and healthy culinary innovations.
The Spanish restaurant “El Invernadero”, headed by chef Rodrigo de la Calle has been crowned best vegetable restaurant in the world. Frank Fol, founder We’re Smart: “Rodrigo de la Calle is one of the most influential chefs in plant-based gastronomy. He transforms everyday vegetables into sophisticated dishes with complex flavors and textures. His cuisine places a strong emphasis on sustainability: he works with seasonal produce and local suppliers, and fights against food waste. Taste and pleasure are central to his dishes. He knows how to bring out the natural sweetness and other flavors of vegetables, and has mastered a wide range of cooking techniques.”
Special mention to the restaurant “Ma Langue Sourit”, run by chef Cyril Molard, which now ranks at the 68th place (85th last year). The vegan restaurant “Seven Swans” by chef Ricky Saward in Frankfurt is ranked 31st.
One more “Untouchable”
Chef Emile van der Staak from the Dutch restaurant De Nieuwe Winkel has been awarded the title of ‘Untouchable’ after two successive years in the number one spot.
René Mathieu of La Distillerie in Luxembourg keeps his title of “Untouchable“.
We’re Smart Lady Chef of the Year Award
During the awards, Begoña Rodrigo of “La Salita” restaurant in Valencia, Five Radishes chef and No. 11 in the We’re Smart Top 100, receives the “We’re Smart Lady Chef of the Year” award.
10 Discovery Awards have also been given to 10 inspiring restaurants, which deserve acknowledgement for their exceptional efforts in the culinary world of fruit and vegetables. Among them, “Souvenir” in Ghent (BE), “Plates” in London (UK) or “La Mirande” in Avignon (FR).
We’re Smart Green Guide
Frank Fol, The Vegetables Chef and founder of We’re Smart, also revealed the new We’re Smart Green Guide 2024. The online guide offers culinary reviews of about 1,300 restaurants in 51 countries around the world.
