Restaurants, how TheFork Awards anticipate the starred restaurants of the future: here are the award winners
The 2025 awards (in collaboration with Identità Golose and Mastercard) were presented to emerging chefs recommended by their established colleagues and then voted on by the public: out of the 402 Italian restaurants in the first seven editions, 153 Michelin awards were made
Out of 402 Italian restaurants involved in seven editions of TheFork Awards, 153 have achieved Michelin recognition: 46 now have one star, 4 two stars, 4 are Bib Gourmand and 99 are 'Michelin Selection' (including a 'Passion Dessert'). Obviously net of the new 2026 Guide, which will be announced on 19 November at the Teatro Regio in Parma, and which could increase the spoils.
A significant indicator of how this award, which is the result of a unique mechanism. devised and realised in collaboration with Identità Golose (already established 'mentor' chefs point out emerging establishments that are then voted on by users), is capable of bringing out new catering talent. Not only in Italy: in recent years almost a thousand restaurants in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal have been involved and a total of 417 Michelin awards have been conferred, including recommendations and stars. In 2025, more than 250 top chefs from all over Europe were involved with the awards cycle that began on 28 October and will end on 1 December in France.
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This year TheFork Awards Italia, for the first time with Mastercard as title pponsor, brought together 80 influential chefs and 56 emerging restaurants. Winning the popular (online) vote for national title (People's Choice Award 2025) and that for Northern Italy was "Adelaide! Bottega Bar di Torino", led by chef Giuseppe Tarantino and nominated by chef Ugo Alciati; "an award that rewards the ability to combine tradition and innovation in one of the cities that symbolises Italian gastronomic culture," reads the motivation.
For central Italy, the prize was awarded to Cecchini in Città di Firenze, with chef Mariano Pastega, nominated by Riccardo Monco, who "has been able to distinguish himself for an authentic and contemporary cuisine in the heart of Tuscany". The South and the Islands saw the triumph of Mezzena in Palermo, where chef Davide Autovino, nominated by chef Tony Lo Coco, "brings forward a culinary proposal that tells the story of Sicily through creativity and deep roots".
The Mastercard Impact Award, dedicated to restaurants "capable of generating a positive impact in three key areas - support for local communities, promotion of authentic tourism and valorisation of young talent" went to Tribarakkio in Catanzaro by chef Mariarita Bruno nominated by Nino Rossi.
These are the other special prizes:
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