Minneapolis ranks among the best food cities in the world, according to top chefs

Bloomberg asked top chefs where they like to dine.

December 2, 2019 at 6:03PM
After telling the story of the first course's origin, Demi Owner/Chef Gavin Kaysen handed bowls of bacon, pea, and mint broth to patrons Wednesday night. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com Gavin Kaysen's new restaurant, Demi, has opened in the North Loop. The remarkable, standard-setting restaurant was photographed during dinner service Wednesday evening, May 8, 2019 in Minneapolis.
Gavin Kaysen in his restaurant, Demi, in the North Loop. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

San Sebastián, Spain. Buenos Aires, Argentina. And Minneapolis.

These are among the best food cities in the world, according to top culinary talent from around the globe.

Bloomberg chief food critic Richard Vines surveyed some of the best international chefs to find out where in the world they like to eat — beyond typically renowned food cities like Paris, New York and Tokyo.

Daniel Boulud, whose restaurant Daniel is considered one of New York City's finest restaurants, chose our humble hometown thanks to our own great chefs, like Ann Kim, Jamie Malone and John Kraus.

Here's what Vines wrote:

"New York-based Daniel Boulud of Daniel is a fan of Minneapolis. 'It's always been one of the top cities but now you are seeing the rise of a whole generation of chefs going back home from New York, from Chicago, from L.A. and Europe. They are opening very cool places. People like Ann Kim at Young Joni, and Jamie Malone at Grand Cafe. And then you have John Kraus, a very, very talented pastry chef with Patisserie 46, which is really special ... A good city for food is a city with good companies spending on entertaining.' Boulud also cited Gavin Kaysen of Spoon and Stable as particularly influential."

It's worth noting that Boulud is one of Kaysen's mentors; Kaysen was chef de cuisine at NYC's Café Boulud before returning to Minneapolis in 2014 to open Spoon & Stable. So, it's safe to say, Boulud knows what he's talking about.

The Basque pizza, as prepared by kitchen of Young Joni. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com Young Joni is the Star Tribune's Restaurant of the Year for 2017. The Northeast Minneapolis restaurant was photographed Thursday evening, December 7, 2017.
The Basque pizza, as prepared by kitchen of Young Joni. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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about the writer

Sharyn Jackson

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Sharyn Jackson is a features reporter covering the Twin Cities' vibrant food and drink scene.

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