About Us

50 Next? Sounds familiar…

You might recognise the name – that’s because we’re the little sibling of 50 Best, the organisation behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and The World’s 50 Best Bars. For the last 20 years, we’ve spent a lot of time celebrating high-end restaurants and bars, which is something we’re passionate about. But 50 Next is different – it celebrates people.

So 50 Best created another ranking?

Not exactly. 50 Next is a list, but not a ranking. It features 50 bright, young humans who are changing the world of gastronomy in unique and interesting ways. 50 Next celebrates everyone from activists to app creators, but it is not a competition, and there is no hierarchy. 

What are the categories?

Instead of a ranking, 50 Next is divided into seven industry-led categories: Gamechanging Producers; Tech Disruptors; Empowering Educators; Entrepreneurial Creatives; Science Innovators; Hospitality Pioneers and Trailblazing Activists. Each category is unranked and spans a wide range of different job types. These categories aim to show the diverse range of people on the list.

How do these people get picked – another anonymous jury?

Actually, we have changed things a little. 50 Next has an open application process, where people can apply or nominate someone for the list. We work with the brilliant team at the Basque Culinary Center to identify the strongest candidates and select the final 50. Take a look at our Selection Process to find out how it works.
 
Tell me more about 50 Best

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is an annual celebration of the finest dining establishments on the planet, which has been running since 2002. In 2013, it launched Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, with Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants following in 2022, to shine a spotlight on underrepresented regions, and it organises the #50BestTalks series of live culinary forums. The 50 Best family also includes The World’s 50 Best Bars, which has been celebrating the best of the international drinks industry since 2009 and launched its sister list in Asia in 2016, as well as the first edition of North America's 50 Best Bars in 2022.
 
What about the Best of the Best?

Over the history of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, eight restaurants have achieved the No.1 title – El Bulli, The French Laundry, The Fat Duck, the original and re-located Noma, El Celler de Can Roca, Osteria Francescana, Eleven Madison Park and Mirazur. As of 2019, these restaurants are no longer eligible for the list and have been elevated to a hall of fame called the Best of the Best. At 50 Next, we draw on the expertise of the people behind these restaurants to provide leadership and guidance to the young people selected for the list. We asked the leaders of the Best of the Best restaurants to provide an endorsement for one person from each category – you can read their endorsements here.