The culinary wizard at Copenhagen’s Alchemist has made history by being named the Best Chef in the World – again! Already the 2024 winner, Munk has thus cemented his status as one of the most innovative and influential chefs on the global stage.
Since its inaugural list in 2017, The Best Chef Awards aims to recognize the Best of the Best: Chefs who demonstrate exceptional creativity, innovation, and culinary excellence. This year, 972 experts cast their votes across six continents, including 572 chefs and 400 professionals from relevant sectors like food journalism and gastronomy consultancy.
So far, only three chefs have claimed the number one spot more than once: Juan Roca of El Celler de Can Roca (2017 and 2018), Dabiz Muñoz of DiverXO (2021, 2022, and 2023) ... and now, Rasmus Munk of Alchemist (2024 and 2025). “To receive this award is truly humbling, and I am very proud that so many people in the restaurant industry have voted for me. But this is not only my award – it is a tribute to the entire Alchemist team and their dedication to creating the best possible experience for our guests every night,” Munk said following the awards gala in Milan, Italy.
Accepting the award on stage, Munk emphasized the importance of community and inspiration in shaping the future of food. “My hope is to inspire young chefs to move in a more holistic direction, showing them that gastronomy can be more than a craft, and that communication through food can be a meaningful artistic language. Food has the power to spark conversations, raise questions, and inspire change. I’m truly honored to be listed alongside so many brilliant chefs, and I believe we all have a role in shaping the future of food,” he said.
Munk’s work extends far beyond the restaurant. His food innovation centre, Spora, will play a central role in the global "Acetate to Food" project, a groundbreaking initiative that brings together research institutions and private companies to convert CO₂ into protein. Funded with €21.7 million by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Gates Foundation, the project hopes to create nutritious and delicious meals capable of feeding more than a billion people annually.
With his relentless drive, scientific approach, and creative vision, Rasmus Munk continues to redefine what it means to be a chef in the 21st century: Merging art, sustainability, and innovation on a global stage.
