Chef Santiago Lastra’s London-based restaurant KOL has been awarded no.17 position in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants at the annual ceremony, which this year took place at Wynn Las Vegas in Nevada, USA. KOL rose six places from 2023 and is the highest positioned UK restaurant.
Through KOL, Chef Santiago elevates traditional Mexican dishes to reflect the vibrant culture and heritage of his home country, adapting meticulously sourced produce from the British Isles. His dishes embody contemporary gastronomy and the belief that ‘the simplest ingredients can be made extraordinary if you believe in them.
Chef Santiago Lastra says, “I’m incredibly honoured to be in this year’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants alongside so many fantastic restaurants, all of whom I deeply respect and admire. This achievement belongs to our brilliant team first and foremost, and also to Mexico – to its traditions, people, and culture that never ceases to inspire us – and to our farmers and foragers for all the opportunities to explore Britain’s landscape and produce. Thank you to our guests and global community for the ongoing support and trust in KOL, and for believing in our story.”
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants has reflected and celebrated the richness and diversity of the world’s culinary landscape since 2002. Thanks to its panel of 1,080 culinary experts, as well as its structured and audited voting procedure, the annual list of the world’s finest restaurants provides a snapshot of some of the best destinations for unique culinary experiences, in addition to being a barometer for global gastronomic trends.
