9Jun
The 2010 FIFA Culinary World Cup
Are you ready for some futbol? I know I am, and about the entire planet will be tuning in Friday to watch Mexico take on the host nation of South Africa. Lots of friends of mine like to make predicitons for this month’s world cup based on how their favorite players did in domestic leagues or in the European Cup. For me its all about the food!
I have below, listed the top 32 restaurants in the world. Along with their official FIFA ranking. I use complex mathematical equations (ok maybe not) and several real world adjustments to determine the next 2010 Finals Winner!
1. Noma, Denmark (FIFA Rank – 36)
2. El Bulli, Spain (FIFA Rank – 2)
3. Fat Duck, UKÂ (FIFA Rank – Eight)
4. El Celler de Can Roca, Spain (FIFA Rank – 2)
5. Migaritz, Spain (FIFA Rank – 2)
6. Osteria Francescana, Italy (FIFA Rank – 5)
7. Alinea, USAÂ (FIFA Rank – 14)
8. Daniel, USAÂ (FIFA Rank – 14)
9. Arzak, Spain (FIFA Rank – 2)
10. Per Se, USAÂ (FIFA Rank – 14)
11. Le Chateaubriand, France (FIFA Rank – 9)
12. La Colobme, South Africa (FIFA Rank – 83)
13. Pierre Gagnaire, France (FIFA Rank – 9)
14. L’Hotel de Ville Phillipe Rochat, Switzerland (FIFA Rank – 24)
15. Le Bernardin, USAÂ (FIFA Rank – 14)
16. L’Astrance, France (FIFA Rank – 9)
17. Hof Van Cleve, France (FIFA Rank – 9)
18. D.O.M., Brazil (FIFA Rank – 1)
19. Oud Sluis, Holland (FIFA Rank – 4)
20. Le Calandre, Italy (FIFA Rank – 5)
21. Steirereck, Austria (FIFA Rank – 68)
22. Vendome, Italy (FIFA Rank – 5)
23. Chez Dominique, Finland (FIFA Rank – 52)
24. Les Creations de Narisawa, Japan (FIFA Rank – 45)
25. Mathias Dahlgren, Sweden (FIFA Rank – 37)
26. Momofuku Ssam Bar, USAÂ (FIFA Rank – 14)
27. Quay, Australia (FIFA Rank – 20)
28. Iggy’s, Singapore (FIFA Rank – 127)
29. L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, France (FIFA Rank – 9)
30. Schloss Schaustein, Switzerland (FIFA Rank – 14)
31. Le Quartier Francais, South Africa (FIFA Rank – 83)
32. The French Laundry, USAÂ (FIFA Rank – 14)
The Finals
USA vs France (Maybe we can get Thierry Henry to wear oven mits, USA edges by France in Penalty Kicks)
The Semi-Finals
Spain vs Italy (The unique formations by Chef Adria are just too much for Buffon to handle, Spain 3, Italy 1…in other words..the Azzurri were left feeling a bit “deconstructed”..)
The Quarterfinals
UK vs South Africa (Chef Marco Pierre White heads a freshly poached piqeon meatball in the 89 minute to wipe off South Africa’s hopes to advance ot the semi’s)
Honorable Mention
Brazil, without Ronaldinho and his magical feet, Brazil still made a decent showing this year, aside from falling a bit short they kept us all full with their beloved national dish Feijoada.
Recap
This year will have tons of surprises, watch out for the USA and lets hope they dont fall as quickly as the French Laundry did! But we are confident that the likes of Grant Achatz, Daniel Boulud, and the crew at Le Bernardin will bring us home the trophy!  Germany, quite disappointingly didn’t make the list or past the group stages, and we really owe a round to Ireland. And lastly, one of my favorite dishes is the Gyro, so watch out for Greece this year.
“What is American cuisine?…whatever is cooking right now”.
On a side note, We would like to congratulate all the teams, fans, and chefs who make this a magical time of year. Cheers!
WT
