New York’s Eleven Madison Park has taken out the top spot on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list at a ceremony held tonight in Melbourne.

“This is the greatest affirmation of all,” said Will Guidara, co-owner of the New York restaurant, who accepted the award along with chef Daniel Humm.

“It’s an unbelievable time to be a chef. When I first started cooking 25 years ago I never in my wildest dreams thought I would find myself in this position. As I’ve grown, one thing I’ve learned is that no matter how good what we put on the plate is, it’s nothing if it’s not served graciously and with severity,” said Humm.

“Restaurants are about relationships and relationships are about trust, and in Will [Guidara] I found someone I love and respect and [someone] I trust with all of my heart. We were first on this list seven years ago. Today you are our friends, thank you so much for believing in us, inspiring us and supporting us,” he said, signalling the end of the global food event.

Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana failed to retain the crown, moving down a ranking this year while El Celler De Can Roca in Spain took out number three and France’s Mirazur moved to number four. Central in Peru topped the list for South America at number five.

Attica stole the show winning the best restaurant in Australia at number 32 while Brae rose in the ranks this year reaching number 44, making the top 50 list for the first time. “It’s unbelievable, it’s a dream come true,” said Ben Shewry upon receiving the honour for Attica.

Peter Gilmore’s Quay was up three spots from last year at 95. It marks the ninth year that the harbourside restaurant has made the World’s Best Restaurants list, which was this year selected by a record 1,040 voters from around the word.

This year’s list has not been without controversy, with many raising the alarming issue of gender inequality. Results of the 51-100 list released earlier last week revealed both Dominque Crenn’s Atelier Crenn and Ana Ros’ Hisa Franko made it at number 83 and 69 respectively, with none making it to the coveted 1-50 list.

For more on the issue of gender inequality in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, see here.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is voted on by an international panel of almost 1000 food writers, critics, chefs, restaurateurs and – in the words of the group’s website – “highly regarded ‘gastronomes.”

2017 World’s 50 Best Restaurants List:

1: Eleven Maddison Park, USA
2: Osteria Francescana, Italy (Best Restaurant in Europe)
3: El Celler De Can Roca, Spain
4: Mirazur, France
5: Central, Peru (Best Restuarant in South America)
6: Asador, Spain
7: Gaggan, Thailand (Best Restaurant in Asia)
8: Maido, Peru
9: Mugaritz, Spain
10: Steirereck, Austria
11: Blue Hill at Stone Barns, USA
12: Arpege, France
13: Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee, France
14: Restaurant Andre, Singapore
15: Piazza Duomo, Italy
16: D.O.M, Brazil
17: Le Bernardin, USA
18: Narisawa, Japan
19: Geranium, Denmark
20: Pujlo, Mexico
21: Alinea, USA
22: Quintonli, Mexico
23: White Rabit, Russia
24: Amber, Hong Kong
25:  Tickets, Spain
26: The Clove Club, UK
27:  The Ledbury, UK
28: Nahm, Thailand
29: Le Calendre, Italy
30: Azrak, Spain
31: Alleno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen, France
32: Attica, Australia (Best Restaurant in Australia)
33:  Astrid y Gaston, Peru
34:  De Librije, Netherlands
35:  Septime, France (Sustainable Restaurant Award)
36: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, UK
37: Saison, USA
38: Azurmeni, Spain
39: Relae, Denmark
40: Cosme, USA
41: Ultraviolet, China
42: Borago, Chile
43: Reale, Italy
44: Brae, Australia
45: Den, Japan
46: L’Astrance, France
47: Vendome, Germany
48: Tim Raue, Germany
49: Tegui, Buenos Aires
50: Kruishoutem, Belgium

World’s Best Pastry Chef:  Dominique Ansel, USA
World’s Best Female Chef: Ana Ros,  Slovenia
Chefs Choice Award: Virgilio Martinez
Art of Hospitality Award: El Celler De Can Roca, Spain
Highest Climber Award: Blue Hill at Stone Barns, USA
Lifetime Achievement Award: Heston Blumenthal