Popchow: Ferran Adria doesn’t think he’s the best chef in the world

Quick post: The gastronomic force that is Ferran Adria blew into Singapore this week for the World Gourmet Summit.

He needs little introduction because in short, he revolutionised the culinary world.

While I didn’t have the chance to get an interview with him (DAMN!), it was an inspiring 45 minutes just to hear him speak about his work and philosophy. The man is incredibly intelligent, keen and genuinely interested in what you have to say, and disarmingly humble too. For one, he doesn’t like being called “The best chef in the world”.

“How can you measure what’s best?” he countered instead. “I understand influential. I don’t understand best.” He went on to explain that in 20 years time, nobody can say who were among the best chefs ever. What remains is a chef’s influence.

I think my life’s enriched and made poorer after breathing the same air as a great.