Basque chef Arzak up for World's Best Female Chef Award

The&' || 'nbsp;S.Pellegrino "Worlds 50 Best" Awards has this year launched a brand new category, World''s Best Female Chef, for which Basque chef Elena Arzak is one of the shortlisted nominees.

The World''s Best Female Chef Award is a joint initiative by Veuve Cliquot and Restaurant Magazine, who every year publish their World''s 50 Best Restaurants. Arzak restaurant, where Elena works under the direction of her father, Juan Mari Arzak, came ninth in last year''s list.

In addition to her pedigree - she is a fourth generation chef in the Arzak family - Elena also received world-class training from the likes of Ferran Adrià and Alain Ducasse.

Champagne makers Veuve Cliquot will award the accolade to the female chef whose "cooking delights and excites the toughest of international critics".

It is apt that the company should create this new category, if not before time! It is inspired by Madame Cliquot, who in 1805 assumed control of her husband''s business when he left her a widow at the age of just 27.

The winner of the World''s Best Female Chef Award will be announced on April 11th. The presentation will take place at the S.Pellegrino World''s 50 Best Restaurants Awards ceremony at London''s Guildhall on April 18th.