Who Gets to Be the Best? William Drew on Power, Politics, and the Future of Fine Dining

What if the most powerful list in restaurants isn’t about food—it’s about influence?William Drew runs the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, the ranking that can transform a chef’s life overnight. But behind the glitz is a story of politics, pressure, and purpose. In this episode, we go deep on how the list really works, who gets included, and what it reveals about the evolving values of the global dining scene. We explore the rise of storytelling over technique, how post-pandemic shifts are impacting who wins, and why French cuisine is no longer the default standard. William doesn’t just defend the list—he opens it up. And in doing so, he gives us a rare look into how prestige is created and what it means for the future of restaurants. If you’ve ever wondered who decides what matters in food—this is that conversation. To learn more about The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, visit https://www.theworlds50best.com.____________________________________________________________Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars