Bangkok, 22 February 2017 – Thailand has secured a record nine entries in the influential Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017. Gaggan restaurant, famed for its progressive Indian cuisine, took the first spot on the list for the third consecutive year, winning the dual titles of the Best Restaurant in Asia and the Best Restaurant in Thailand.
The record number of entries on the 2017 list means that Thailand now ties with China, Japan and Singapore who each have nine restaurants in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. The 2017 awards ceremony took place at W Hotel Bangkok on 21 February with an audience comprising some of Asia’s most influential chefs, food writers, industry VIPs and members of the media.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said, “The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards represent some of the finest dining experiences in the world. The high placing of Thailand’s restaurants shows that the kingdom deserves its reputation as a culinary destination for food lovers.
“Visitors know that as well as amazing local Thai food, they can also enjoy international dishes created by world-class, award-winning chefs who are attracted by Thailand’s food-culture and come here to practice their art in their elegant restaurants.”
As well as Gaggan, four other restaurants in Bangkok which have appeared in top 50 list before also won the accolades. These include Thai restaurants Nahm, (which took 5th position on the list) and Issaya Siamese Club (which came 21st). Fine dining restaurant Eat Me came 31st, and making a welcome return to the 2017 list was Thai eatery Bo.Lan which took 19th place.
There were also 10 new entries on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017 list and four of these were from Bangkok. The German dishes of Sühring earned it 13th place on the list, The Dining Room at The House of Sathorn’s eclectic cuisine earned it 36th place on this list, the Asian flavours of Le Du ensured it debuted at 37th place; and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon with its classic French fare took 40th place.
Now in its 5th year, the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants is decided by the votes of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which is made of up 300 leaders in Asia’s restaurant industry. Each region’s panel includes food writers, critics, chefs and restaurateurs who list their choices in order of preference based on their restaurant experiences over the past 18 months. Voting rules are strict and professional services consultancy Deloitte works with adjudicators to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the process.
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list is owned and published by William Reed Business Media, which also publishes The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, launched back in 2002, and Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, launched in September 2013.
For more information please visit www.theworlds50best.com/asia/en/
All pictures are courtesy of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna
