Elena Reygadas named The World's Best Female Chef 2023

Reygadas, who was previously recognised as Latin America’s Best Female Chef by the 50 Best group in 2014, is recognised as one of the most important figures within Mexican gastronomy and is a passionate advocate of Mexican biodiversity and sustainable production.

“I’m very grateful and honored to have been awarded by people I admire so much,” says Reygadas.

“Cooking is a communal practice. And so, for me, this award belongs to my entire team, as well as to all the women in the kitchen who have preserved our culinary legacy for generations.”

Reygadas launched Rosetta in 2010, having previously spent four years working in London under the tutelage of Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli.

The restaurant, which serves a daily changing menu that focuses on revamping traditional Mexican dishes, is currently ranked at number 60 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants longlist and at number 37 on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

As well as running Rosetta and an adjacent bakery, which provides bread to many of Mexico City’s leading restaurants, Reygadas also runs casual Mexican restaurant Lardo and bistro Café Nin, both in the capital.

Addionally, she also recently launched a female-focused scholarship program in Mexico with the aim to promote greater gender parity in kitchens.

With the goal of championing equal opportunities and strengthening the leadership of Mexican women in the gastronomic world, the ‘Beca Elena Reygadas’ scholarship is open to Mexican students who have been accepted into a culinary school.

“It’s an honour to bestow The World’s Best Female Chef award this year on Elena Reygadas, a chef who is paving the way for future generations of female leaders in Mexico and beyond,” says William Drew, director of content for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

“With her advocacy of traditional dishes and indigenous biodiversity, Reygadas is promoting the future of Mexican gastronomy and we’re proud to support her mission with this prestigious award.”

The World’s Best Female Chef 2023 award is the first of several awards to be revealed ahead of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 awards ceremony in Valencia, Spain, which will be held at Les Arts opera house, part of the city’s modernist City of Arts and Sciences complex, on 20 June.

This year’s programme will include a series of key events including thought-leadership forum #50BestTalks; the 50 Best Signature Sessions series of collaborative dining events open to the public; and a Chefs’ Feast showcasing the finest produce and cooking from the Spanish region.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is arranged and organised by William Reed, Restaurant​’s parent company.