Jordy Navarra of Toyo Eatery, Chele Gonzalez of Gallery By Chele and Stephan Duhesme of Metiz 

DUBAI -- The 8th edition of The Best Chef Awards concluded in Dubai on Wednesday, the first time this prestigious event was held in the Middle East. 

Three chefs from the Philippines were included on this year’s prestigious list: Jordy Navarra of Toyo Eatery with two knives, Chele Gonzalez of Gallery By Chele with one knife, and Stephan Duhesme of Metiz with one knife. 

Special mention to Filipina chef Johanne Siy of Lolla in Singapore, who also got one knife.

The eventual top three winners were Rasmus Munk of Alchemist Denmark in first place, Albert Adrià of Enigma Spain in second place, and Eric Vildgaard of Jordnær also located in Denmark in third place.

The top three winners of The Best Chef Awards. JC Cailles Lo

The Best Chef Awards is a testament to Dubai’s growing prominence in the international gastronomic scene as one of the major culinary capitals of the world. Hosted by Atlantis The Palm Resort and supported by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the awards gala honored 550 chefs from 61 countries, making it the largest edition to date.

"Dubai is the place to be and was a natural choice for expanding the global footprint of The Best Chef Awards. Its reputation as a melting pot of cultures and its burgeoning status as a culinary destination aligns perfectly with our vision of global gastronomic excellence," Cristian Gadau, co-founder of The Best Chef Awards, said.

"By bringing The Best Chef Awards to Dubai, we aim to tap into its vibrant energy and innovative spirit, showcasing it as a central hub where culinary traditions from around the world converge and evolve. This move marks a strategic step in broadening our international reach and fostering a more connected global culinary community."

The stage of of The Best Chef Awards. JC Cailles Lo

Joanna Slusarczyk, co-founder of The Best Chef Awards, added,:"Hosting The Best Chef Awards in Dubai allows us to further our mission of fostering a knowledgeable community that not only celebrates culinary excellence but also prioritizes the preservation of culinary traditions through scientific innovation. Dubai's dynamic culinary landscape provides the perfect setting to highlight the role of science in elevating gastronomy on a global stage."

The Best Chef Awards organization also unveiled a revolutionary accreditation scheme for this year’s edition. There was a new rating and voting system for the selection of the winners using one, two, or three knives to indicate a chef's level of excellence. Additionally, the top three chefs winning three knives were given special citations during the ceremony and were ranked in chronological order.

* Three Knives (THE BEST): Awarded to chefs achieving 80% or more of the maximum possible points, indicating top-tier culinary mastery.

* Two Knives (WORLD CLASS): Signifying world-class status, awarded to those achieving 40% or more of the maximum points. 

* One Knife (EXCELLENT): For chefs who achieve 20% or more of the maximum points, representing excellent culinary skills.