Get ready for a series of tales from some of the world’s most fabled kitchens and bars.
On Wednesday 18 June, globally renowned chefs and bartenders will meet in Turin at the Officine Grandi Riparazioni to share fascinating stories and insights into their creative process as part of #50BestTalks.
The stellar line-up features Dominique Crenn, Virgilio Martínez, Bruno Verjus and Agnese Morandi, Jeremy Chan, Mindy Woods and Ago Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani.
In the world’s best restaurants and bars, it’s often stories that help teams and consumers forge deeper connections to food and drink: where does this ingredient come from? Which supplier provided this? How did the chef or bartender’s experiences lead to this dish or cocktail? What’s behind this name, this plate, this space, this flavour?
Since 2014, #50BestTalks has seen countless chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers and bartenders dig into the hottest topics in gastronomy. Now learn more about this year’s speakers:
Jeremy Chan
Head chef at Ikoyi, London
[Image credit: Danny J Peace]
Born in the north west of England, Jeremy Chan’s journey into professional kitchens was far from traditional. He graduated in Languages and Philosophy and worked in business for two years, before a chance conversation with childhood friend and now-business partner Iré Hassan-Odukale ignited a spark around the possibilities of new restaurant concept. For nearly five years, he worked tirelessly to absorb as much information as possible, researched in his free time and immersed himself entirely in the skills and techniques needed to master the craft of cheffing. The pair opened Ikoyi in London in 2017, with Chan creating a culinary style that defies categorisation. The result is a singular dining experience which the chef terms “a journey through bold heat”.
Dominique Crenn
Chef-owner at Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
Dominique Crenn is the co-owner and chef of Atelier Crenn in San Francisco. In 2016, she was recognised as The World's Best Female Chef, in 2021 was named the winner of the Icon Award at The World's 50 Best Restaurants, and in 2018, she became the first female chef in the US to receive three Michelin stars. She has long drawn inspiration from her childhood in France and personal journey to craft the narrative of her flagship restaurant, with the menu at Atelier Crenn showcasing the bounty of the sea and the finest products sourced from local farmers. Crenn also owns Bar Crenn, and in February 2025, partnered with the iconic House of Dior, opening Café Dior by Dominique Crenn in Dallas' Highland Park Village. Chef Crenn continues to be recognised for her presence in the international culinary community, promoting innovation, sustainability and equality. In 2024, she was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.
Virgilio Martínez
Chef-owner at Central, Lima
Born and raised in Lima, Virgilio Martínez has redefined global perceptions of Peruvian cuisine. After studying at Le Cordon Bleu, he worked in top international kitchens – from New York to Madrid – before returning to Peru to celebrate his country’s natural and cultural diversity through food. He opened Central in 2008, which was named The World’s Best Restaurant in 2023, the first ever South American eatery to earn the title. As Central’s concept developed over the years, a menu took form that guides diners through myriad different Peruvian ecosystems, categorised by altitude – from below sea level in the Pacific Ocean to the high peaks of the Andes. To deepen this exploration, he co-founded Mater Iniciativa, a research and development collective that works with scientists, farmers and anthropologists to document Peru’s biodiversity.
Ago Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani
Director of mixology and assistant director of mixology at Connaught Bar, London
Ago Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani are two of the most influential figures in the world of mixology. At the Connaught Bar in London, the dynamic duo blend tradition with innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of modern bartending – and the impressive heights of martini pouring!
Originally from Lake Como, Ago Perrone joined the Connaught Bar in 2008 as director of mixology. He has shaped the bar’s signature style and led the team to multiple accolades, including the No.1 spot on The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2020 and 2021. Giorgio Bargiani joined in 2014 and now serves as head mixologist, complementing Perrone’s vision with hospitality expertise. His role has been pivotal in ensuring the consistency and innovation the bar is celebrated for. Together, they’ve redefined luxury cocktail culture.
Bruno Verjus and Agnese Morandi
Chef-owner and head sommelier of Table by Bruno Verjus, Paris
Before opening his Parisian restaurant, Table, Bruno Verjus lived many lives: medical student, entrepreneur, blogger, journalist, author, TV and radio personality. Now on the other side of the counter, he defends his most loyal friends: artisan producers. In 2023, Table made its entry into The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, debuting at No.10. Verjus invents his own daily menu based on what he receives fresh from his producers. By starting behind the stove in his fifties, he has freed himself from all diktats.
Agnese Morandi started her career in hospitality at Piazza Duomo in Alba. From there, she moved to Valence, France, where she joined the esteemed Maison Pic, another three-Michelin-star restaurant. Later, she found her true calling as a sommelier in Paris working at Table by Bruno Verjus. At Table, she is part of a close-knit team that continually strives for excellence, with the wine list changing every two to three weeks.
Mindy Woods
Chef, restaurateur and author, Karkalla on Country, Byron Bay
Chef, author, restaurateur and advocate for Indigenous Australian cuisine, Mindy Woods, a proud Bundjalung woman, is transforming the culinary landscape with her exceptional skills and dedication to highlighting Indigenous Australian ingredients. As both a chef and restaurant owner, Woods serves as a cultural ambassador, bringing the rich flavours and ancient knowledge of Indigenous Australian cuisine to the forefront. She is the esteemed owner of Karkalla On Country – a unique culinary and cultural destination located on her ancestral land. In 2023, Mindy was honoured as a First Nations Ambassador for her outstanding contributions to bush food and botanicals by the national Indigenous body for native food, FNBBA. Additionally, she authored Karkalla At Home in 2024, a cookbook designed to inspire Australians to incorporate native ingredients into their everyday cooking.
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, will be revealed on Thursday 19 June from Turin.
