Trio of Spanish restaurateurs poach spots in world top 10

The votes are in. The world's best restaurant, once again, is Noma, a Danish establishment run by René Redzepi. And Spain holds the number two and three positions, as well as number eight, according to Restaurant magazine, which organizes the prestigious S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list. France only got one establishment into the top 10, while the US figures twice, with one spot each to Italy, Brazil and England.

"We weren't expecting this. This result underscores that the Spanish culinary revolution is still underway," said Joan Roca, one of three family members who run El Celler de Can Roca, a restaurant in Girona that jumped up two positions from last year to grab the next-to-best spot on the list. Roca learned the news in person at a gala event held at The Guildhall, in London. As he quickly sent messages to his brothers Josep and Jordi, he simultaneously hugged his wife and eldest child, who were there with him, and celebrated with his Spanish colleagues Andoni Luis Aduriz (whose Mugaritz made third spot) and Juan Mari Arzak, who placed eighth.

"It's a dream come true to see our people so high up," exclaimed Aduriz, whose restaurant in a Basque farmhouse literally rose from the ashes after a fire destroyed it not long ago. "We are going to be even better. This is just the beginning."

Meanwhile, the granddaddy of them all, the veteran Arzak - who is credited with pioneering the concept of new Basque cuisine - celebrated a double victory, as he was also presented with a special lifetime achievement award. Additionally, his daughter Elena Arzak was nominated as one of the world's three best female chefs, a new category introduced by Restaurant magazine. "My career had already been recognized, but now Spain as a whole is consolidating," said Arzak. "Talk about constant reasons to celebrate!"