The Best Chef Awards is one of the most prestigious distinctions in the world of gastronomy, created to honor chefs from around the globe. The system focuses on chefs who create exceptional and original culinary experiences. Awards are given to those who make a unique contribution to the development of culinary art, inspire other chefs, and set new directions in gastronomy.

Within The Best Chef Awards, various prizes and special distinctions are granted. In addition to the overall title of the world’s best chef, there may be categories related to innovation, creativity, promoting the cuisine of a specific country, education, or social initiatives in gastronomy. The organizers evaluate not only the quality of the dishes but also the way the kitchen is run, the approach to the team, long-term impact, and the ability to inspire the entire industry.

A key and distinctive element of The Best Chef Awards is the so-called knife symbol system:

• Three knives (THE BEST) – symbolizes the highest level of culinary mastery.

• Two knives (WORLD CLASS) – indicates world-class skills.

• One knife (EXCELLENT) – recognizes a high culinary standard and significant contribution to the field.

Poznań restaurants in The Best Chef Awards

Instead of a rigid numerical ranking, a tiered system of recognition is used with three levels: One Knife, Two Knives, and Three Knives. Each chef receives a certain number of knives depending on the percentage of maximum points achieved. This method highlights not only the order but also the level at which a chef operates in relation to the maximum criteria.

The knife system shifts the focus from mere position in the ranking to skills, influence, creativity, and consistency. Moreover, the symbolism of the knives and the transparency of the thresholds help build a community of gastronomy enthusiasts and professionals around the entire awards process.

The award goes to chefs who stand out not only through the quality of their dishes but also through their vision, continuous development, ability to inspire others, and influence on the industry. In this way, The Best Chef Awards functions less as a ranking and more as a platform celebrating culinary diversity while enabling the exchange of ideas and inspiration among the most significant figures in gastronomy.

The recommendation system is based on an international community of experts, including food critics, gastronomy journalists, food photographers, industry consultants, and chefs themselves, who participate in the nomination and voting process. First, experts are invited to nominate candidates—often resulting in a broad list of chefs from around the world. Then, the community casts votes, assessing candidates according to established criteria. The process is designed to incorporate diverse perspectives and minimize subjective bias.