The best eats in Asia

Asia’s most respected chefs and influential restaurateurs, together with leading industry figures and international media, will be heading to Bangkok early in 2016 for the announcement of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
After three successful years in Singapore, the awards ceremony moves to Bangkok on February 29, reflecting Thailand’s growing influence on the region’s culinary scene. Bangkok restaurants have claimed the No 1 spot on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list for the last two years. David Thompson’s Nahm took top honours in 2014 while Gaggan Anand’s eponymous restaurant secured the No 1 spot in 2015. Along with Gaggan and Nahm, the 2015 list also featured the Bangkok-based restaurants Eat Me (No 25), Bo.lan (No.37) and Issaya Siamese Club (No 39).
The new location for these prestigious awards was announced at a media conference hosted by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and the Tourism Authority of Thailand at Gaysorn Shopping Centre and was followed by a celebratory VIP dinner at Paste at Gaysorn.
“Thailand is honoured to be the host country of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016. The support of this event is consistent with the national agenda to promote Thainess, Thai culture, and, in particular, Thai cuisine to the world,” said Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.
“It will also strengthen the country’s strong brand image and differentiate us from other countries. Moreover, it will prominently feature and position Thailand as a multifaceted fine dining destination where visitors are treated to an unimaginable array of cuisine options prepared by renowned chefs and backed by our warm Thai hospitality.”
“Thailand has long been recognised for its rich culinary history and traditional street food culture,” added William Drew, group editor of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
“In recent years, the country’s vibrant restaurant scene has matured, welcoming world-class establishments serving a variety of international cuisine. Thailand is fast establishing itself as one of Asia’s key gastronomic hubs, making it the ideal country to host the 2016 edition of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.”
Since its launch in 2013, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants has become the most trusted and credible guide to the best places to eat around the region. In 2015, changes to the voting process were introduced to reflect the opinions of voters spread throughout Asia and better showcase the diversity of Asia’s culinary scene.
The 2016 list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants featured eight new entries, including first-time entries from the Philippines (Antonio’s, No 48) and Cambodia (Cuisine Wat Damnak, No 50).
The list is compiled by The Diners Club, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of more than 300 leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia, each selected for their expert opinion of Asia’s restaurants scene.
The Academy is divided into six voting regions: India and the Subcontinent, Southeast Asia South, Southeast Asia North, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, Mainland China and Korea, and Japan. The divisions are designed to represent the Asian restaurant scene as fairly as possible at the current time and are agreed with the Academy Chairs. Each region has its own panel of 53 members including a chairperson to head it up. The panel is made up of food writers and critics, chefs, restaurateurs and highly regarded “foodies”. Each panellist has seven votes. Of the seven votes, at least three must be used to recognise restaurants outside of the voter’s home country.
For the 2016 edition, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants is working with professional services consultancy Deloitte as its official independent adjudication partner. The adjudication by Deloitte will ensure that the integrity and authenticity of the voting process and the resulting list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants are protected.
Find out more at www.TheWorlds50Best.com/Asia.