The Basque Culinary World Prize, the “Nobel of Gastronomy,” has its 2023 winner: Ebru Baybara Demir

We’ve spoken, quite a bit, about the Basque Culinary World Prize, the award which by many is considered the “Nobel of Gastronomy.”  And we’ve done so for two reasons which by themselves are more than enough to explain its existence.

On the one hand, and we never tire of saying it, this is a world-class way of projecting the Basques into the world.  On the other hand, it brings together two aspects which are of supreme interest in the world, which are also areas where Basques have deep roots: cuisine and social commitment.  It’s not for nothing that the Basques are “The Culinary Nation.”

Gastronomy has become a social and cultural aspect that raises great interest.  There are more and more societies that strive to show off how proud they are of their culinary traditions, and it is often one of the most representative elements of their culture.  What’s more, many chefs are important and influential people, thanks to mass and social media.  This means that they’ve gone beyond being “just” chefs (not that that’s anything to sniff at) and become role models.  Thanks to this influence, they can become catalysts for change, helping to better their culture.

And these are the kinds of people this award focuses on.  That’s why we absolutely love the way one of the articles we’re bring you starts.  In an article by Evelyn Chen in the South China Morning Post, she starts:

In a world flooded with gastronomy lists and awards such as the Michelin Guide and the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, the Basque Culinary World Prize (BCWP) is an anomaly.
Yes, the award is presented to chefs. But rather than basing its accolades on the merits of their cuisine or the quality of service, BCWP judges them on something more noble: the transformative power of their food in creating a positive impact on society.
BCWP acknowledges that great chefs, such as Jose Andres of World Central Kitchen and Alice Waters of Chez Panisse, and their growing spheres of influence, can be powerful forces for change.

As we also mention, this award, set up by the Basque Government and the Basque Culinary Center, “This prize celebrates a chef of any nationality who demonstrates how gastronomy can have a positive impact in fields such as culinary innovation, health, nutrition, education, the environment, the food industry, social or economic development, among others.”

The idea of combining both elements to create this award seems absolutely brilliant to us.  Even better, this idea has been put into practice, the way things ought to be: supported with resources, with a prize that matches the goal and scope they sought, and an effort to spread it that has given amazing results.  This has been borne out since the prize’s first year, when it was referred to as the Nobel of Gastronomy.

The Basque Culinary Word Prize 2023 has been awarded to Turkish chef Ebru Baybara Demir.  She had already been listed as one of the ten most inspirational chefs in the world by the Basque Culinary World Prize for two years running.

In a world that seems to have less as less solidarity with people fleeing war, dictatorships, the persecution of those who are “different,” or simply those seeking a better life, she has stood up, taking a stand for those who are in greatest need and who are most vulnerable.

This amazing chef from Turkey, a country which has taken in so many Syrian refugees, uses cuisine as a tool for integration.  In the many initiatives in which she takes part, Baybara Demir empowers women from both countries and breaks down prejudices by highlighting the richness that comes from cultural exchange.  She currently supports the agricultural development co-op From Soil to Plate, where volunteers encourage the production and consumption of local, ancestral grains, such as sorgül, as well as creating soaps, jams, and crafts, and selling them online; they also get involved in handling biodegradable waste in the markets and bazaars in Diyarbaır.

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We’ll leave you with a selection of the articles that have appeared worldwide about the prize, as well as the Culinary Center’s press release.

Fine Dining Lovers – 7/6/2023 -USA

Ebru Baybara Demir wins Basque Culinary World Prize 2023

Turkish chef Ebru Baybara Demir has been announced as the recipient of the prestigious Basque Culinary World Prize 2023. The announcement was made at gastronomy summit ‘Traditions in Motion’, co-hosted by the Basque Culinary Center and chef Yoshihiro Narisawa in Tokyo, Japan.

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Forbes India – 9/6/2023 – India

From Ebru Baybara Demir to Anthony Myint, these chefs are humanitarian heroe

Supporting populations in wartime or after an earthquake, distributing food after a hurricane, initiating anti-obesity programs… many chefs are committed to making the world a better place and this isn’t limited to extolling the virtues of agriculture that respects the environment and human beings. The latest chef in the spotlight for humanitarian efforts is Turkish chef Ebru Baybara Demir who was this week awarded the Basque World Culinary Prize for her commitment to helping Syrian refugees.

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Daily Sabah – 8/6/2023 – Turkey

Ebru Baybara Demir 1st Turkish female chef to win Nobel of gastronomy

In a remarkable achievement, chef Ebru Baybara Demir has been awarded the prestigious Basque Culinary World Prize (BCWP) 2023, often dubbed the Nobel of Gastronomy. This recognition marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first Turkish female chef to bring this esteemed accolade to Türkiye.

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Gambero Rosso – 7/6/2023 – Italy

Basque Culinary World Prize 2023: la vincitrice è Ebru Baybara Demir

Ebru Baybara Demir si aggiudica il Basque Culinary World Prize 2023, ottava edizione del riconoscimento che premia gli chef etici del mondo.

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Corriere – 7/6/2023 – Italy

La chef turca Ebru Baybara Demir vince il Basque Culinary Prize 2023

Il premio, considerato il Nobel della gastronomia, è andato alla cuoca che ha aiutato le vittime del terremoto turco di febbraio 2023 servendo oltre 10 milioni di pasti in tre mesi con la rete «Gönül Mutfa 1»

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South China Morning Post – 9/6/2023 – China (Hong Kong)

‘Humanity, commitment and strength’: the Turkish chef who’s won a global prize for using food to transform disadvantaged communities

In a world flooded with gastronomy lists and awards such as the Michelin Guide and the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, the Basque Culinary World Prize (BCWP) is an anomaly.
Yes, the award is presented to chefs. But rather than basing its accolades on the merits of their cuisine or the quality of service, BCWP judges them on something more noble: the transformative power of their food in creating a positive impact on society.

(Follow) (Automatic Translation)

Malay Mail – 8/6/2023 – Malaysia

These chefs are humanitarian heroes

upporting populations in wartime or after an earthquake, distributing food after a hurricane, initiating anti-obesity programmes… many chefs are committed to making the world a better place and this isn’t limited to extolling the virtues of agriculture that respects the environment and human beings.

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Last Updated on Dec 3, 2023 by About Basque Country