The Best Chef Awards has announced that its ninth edition will take place in Milan on October 1–2, 2025, marking a return to Europe after last year’s event in Dubai. The two-day programme will bring together some of the world’s most celebrated chefs, culinary thinkers, and industry pioneers for a series of high-profile events culminating in the annual awards gala.
The programme begins on October 1 with the Area Talks, held at Bellavista in the Lombardy wine region. The evening will feature panel discussions and exchanges exploring the ways food connects people, places, and ideas, followed by an informal standing dinner highlighting regional produce. This year’s event will also include a special recognition from The Best Chef board honouring chefs who have demonstrated resilience and dedication by providing food relief to communities in challenging circumstances.
On October 2, the spotlight turns to the Awards Gala at Studio 90, part of Milan’s East End Studios complex. Once an early-1900s aeroplane factory, the venue will host a welcome reception, producer showcases, and the unveiling of this year’s award recipients, followed by an after-party. Among the first confirmed attendees are Massimo Bottura (Italy), Yoshihiro Narisawa (Japan), and Joan Roca (Spain), with more names to be announced.
Milan, known for its blend of culinary heritage and innovation, was selected as host for its deep-rooted gastronomic culture. From iconic dishes like saffron risotto and ossobuco to avant-garde tasting menus, the city offers chefs access to exceptional local produce and a refined dining scene that includes acclaimed restaurants such as Trippa, Cracco, Contraste, Seta, and D’O.
Joanna Slusarczyk, PhD, COO and founder of The Best Chef Awards, said: “Milan is more than a city. It is a culinary identity. It embodies everything we stand for at The Best Chef: tradition, creativity, and a commitment to excellence. From its rich gastronomic heritage to its spirit of innovation, Milan lives and breathes food culture.”
Chef Massimo Bottura added: “The Best Chef Awards will bring ideas, visions, and flavours to the city, a moment where food will be imagined, narrated, and experienced as both a form of art and a universal language.”
The Best Chef Awards 2025 in Milan will serve as both a celebration and a platform for exploring the evolving landscape of global gastronomy.
