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The kitchen at the now (as of July 30, 2011) closed legendary El Bulli restaurant.

World's Best & Finest Gourmet Restaurants & Chefs

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       GOURMET RESTAURANTS BY REGION  (105 countries) :
Africa Asia - 386 Michelin starred restaurants Australia Caribbean
Central America Europe - 1807 Michelin starred restaurants Middle East North America - 128 Michelin starred restaurants
Oceania South America

"The belly rules the mind." - Spanish proverb.

"Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are." – Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

"The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a star." - Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin.

First the basic definition: a RESTAURANT prepares and serves food and drink to customers. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services. Restaurants vary greatly in appearance and offerings, including a wide variety of cuisines and service models.

When it comes to food and drink, it is easy - in one sense - to identify the best. There were seldom any grounds for complaint about the meals served at the late El Bulli; the Château Pétrus is good even in indifferentv years; and Krug Grande Cuvée has no bad ones. This applies even to the humbler foodstuffs: the beans can be cooked badly, the truffle sliced too thickly. The champagne and the claret can be spoiled by serving them at the wrong temperature; and even a Paul Bocuse's legendary meals are less enjoyable if eaten in the wrong surroundings or in disagreeable company.

That, of course, is why divine providence instituted restaurants - to remove these elements of haphazardness from the only pleasure most people experience three times a day.

A CHEF is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who cooks for a living, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.

CHEF DE CUISINE, EXECUTIVE CHEF and HEAD CHEF: this person is in charge of all things related to the kitchen which usually includes menu creation; management of kitchen staff; ordering and purchasing of inventory; and plating design. Chef de cuisine is the traditional French term from which the English word chef is derived. Head chef is often used to designate someone with the same duties as an executive chef, but there is usually someone in charge of them, possibly making the larger executive decisions such as direction of menu, final authority in staff management decisions, etc. This is often the case for chefs with several restaurants.

CUISINE is a characteristic style of cooking practices and traditions, often associated with a specific culture. Cuisines are often named after the geographic areas or regions that they originate from. A cuisine is primarily influenced by the ingredients that are available locally or through trade. Religious food laws, such as Islamic dietary laws and Jewish dietary laws, can also exercise a strong influence on cuisine. Regional food preparation traditions, customs and ingredients often combine to create dishes unique to a particular region.

GOURMET is a cultural ideal associated with the culinary arts of fine food and drink, or haute cuisine, which is characterised by elaborate preparations and presentations of large meals of small, often quite rich courses. The term and its associated practices are usually used positively to describe people of refined taste and passion. For some, it holds a negative connotation of elitism or snobbery.

A GOURMAND is a person who takes great pleasure in food. The word has different connotations from the similar word gourmet, which emphasises an individual with a highly refined discerning palate, but in practice the two terms are closely linked, as both imply the enjoyment of good food.

    Catering
  • Wolfgang Puck Catering & Events.
  • CATERING - Wikipedia.
    • ANN SATHER - Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
    • ARAMARK - headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 255,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries.
    • ARIA CATERING - Sydney, NSW, Australia.
    • BAGATELLE - Oslo, Norway.
    • BALIK MICRO CATERING - catering specialist Hanspeter Vochezer, Switzerland.
    • BOMPASS & PARR - provides full catering services; and provides food and design consultancy.
    • BONSOIRÉE - Chicago, IL, U.S.A. Michelin Guide 2011 1-star restaurant.
    • CANOLI KINGS CATERING - voted best caterer in Los Angeles.
    • CELLAR SOCIETY - a boutique event catering company, specialising in high style gastronomic events in the UK and overseas, primarily working at central London locations.
    • CHEF ADAIR - catering & private chef. Five star dining in the relaxed atmosphere of your own home, vacation rental, or estate, in the Wine Country, Bay Area or beyond.
    • CIPRIANI CATERING VENICE - Venice, Italy.
    • COMPASS - established in New York 40 years ago and brought to the UK in 2001. "Provides the widest portfolio of foodservice solutions in the world."
    • COOKING SOLUTIONS - "Modern cuisine. Old-fashioned service." Cater to the culinary needs of Western Nova Scotia.
    • DAYLESFORD ORGANIC - "We have been farming organically for over 25 years with a simple passion for real food." U.K.
    • EFFIGY - La Croisette, Cannes, France. "In addition to our own inspired creations, we carry a range of fine fare from all over the world, including caviar, foie gras, smoked salmon and truffles as well as the finest champagnes, wines, waters and spirits to complement your dining experience."
    • ELEGANT-AFFAIRS - "Impeccable design for life's most important occasions." The Hamptons' famous catering firm.
    • ELIOR UK - "the market-leading catering, hospitality and facilities management group. We are passionate about providing great food, excellent customer service and exceptional value to all our clients."
    • ERA ORA - Copenhagen, Denmark.
    • F12 RESTAURANT - Stockholm, Sweden.
    • FAUCHON - designer receptions. Paris, France.
    • FEAST & FÊTES CATERING - Chef Daniel Boulud of New York's legendary restaurant DANIEL and his 80+ chefs offer their services in New York City and beyond.
    • GAMMA CATERING - Switzerland.
    • GAUDEFROY - Provence, France.
    • GUIDI LENCI - "The art of banqueting." Florence, Italy.
    • JOSÉ ANDRÉS CATERING - elevates catering and event planning to new heights in the Washington, DC area and beyond. Now you can experience the inspired creations of celebrated chef José Andrés at your own party or venue.
    • KAI'S CATERING + EVENTS - "For almost two decades Kai’s Catering + Events has carved out a position as one of the leading boutique catering and comprehensive event planning companies in Los Angeles."
    • LE CANARD - Oslo, Norway.
    • LENÔTRE - Paris, France. "Créateur de haute gourmandise."
    • LIMECHILLI - "The travelling chef." Private chefs provide services to clients worldwide.
    • LUX STOCKHOLM - Sweden.
    • NEW YORK CATERERS' DIRECTORY
    • ORIOL BALAGUER - Barcelona, Spain.
    • PRIVATE DINING - by Gordon Ramsey.
    • QUINTESSENTIALLY EVENTS
    • SODEXO - U.K. and Ireland.
    • THE LITTLE DOOR - Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
    • VIZZI - "Visionary Cuisine." Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
    • WILTONS - "Noted since 1742 for the finest oysters, fish and game." 55 Jermyn Street, London, U.K.
    • WOLFGANG PUCK - catering & events. "Wolfgang Puck’s world class catering services set the standard for dining and events."
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