The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017 will take place at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne

After a hugely successful 2016 edition in New York City, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants announces that its 2017 awards will take place in Melbourne in April. The flagship event, celebrating its 15^th anniversary, will be hosted at the city’s historic Royal Exhibition Building on the evening of 5^th April.
 
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants has partnered with Tourism Australia to bring the series to its new home for 2017, where world-leading chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, media and influencers will gather to celebrate the very best in global gastronomy. The overall event program, running from 1^st-7^th April, will showcase Australia’s food and wine culture to an international audience of industry professionals and food lovers.

William Drew, group editor of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: “After 14 years hosting the awards event in London, we decided to take The World’s 50 Best Restaurants on a global tour, kicking off in New York in June 2016. Now we could not be more thrilled to be moving to Melbourne, one of the great food cities of the world, in 2017. Come April next year, Australia will undoubtedly be the place to be for those passionate about great food and inspired restaurants.”

One of Australia’s most internationally acclaimed gourmet celebrations, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, has already agreed to align its dates with The World’s Best 50 Restaurants 2017. It will now run its program of events, in its 25^th year, from 31^st March to 9^th April. This will include a MasterClass series celebrating The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, featuring top chefs from around the globe, on 1st and 2nd April.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ move to Australia coincides with the country’s ongoing drive to highlight its food and wine credentials to the world. Since the start of Tourism Australia’s Restaurant Australia campaign in December 2013, international incremental spending on food and wine has increased by more than $1 billion or 25 per cent. One in five dollars spent by international visitors in Australia now goes towards food and wine experiences.

The editorial unit