The organization behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and The World’s 50 Best Bars has today unveiled the second edition of 50 Next – a list, but not a ranking, of young people shaping the future of gastronomy. This year marks the first-ever live event to celebrate 50 Next, held at the Palacio Euskalduna in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain. Designed to inspire, empower and connect the next generation of leaders, 50 Next celebrates people aged 35 and under from across the wider food and drink scene. The list also considers applicants over the age of 35 who have recently set out on a new career path.
Building on the first edition of the list revealed in 2021, the second edition of 50 Next aims to reflect the diversity of the global gastronomic scene. The Class of 2022 includes a wide range of ground-breaking individuals including: innovative thinkers Anusha Murthy and Elizabeth Yorke, who are sparking conversation around Indian food systems; Dinara Kasko, the Ukrainian cake-maker who started a pastry revolution; Mmabatho Molefe, the chef empowering Black women and challenging misconceptions of indigenous cuisine, and Lefteris Arapakis, the fisherman tackling ocean pollution in Greece. Full information about each person can be found on the 50 Next website here.
William Drew, Director of Content for 50 Best, says: “We are delighted to announce the 50 Next Class of 2022 at a live ceremony, where we can celebrate the next generation of gastronomic leaders together and pay tribute to their incredible achievements.”
To celebrate the unveiling of the Class of 2022, as well as to honor the Class of 2021, a one-day 50 Next event was hosted in partnership with the Biscay region and Basque Government, which culminated in the announcement of the 2022 list.