And just like that, 2024 is here. But before we get carried away planning a new year, let’s look back on 2023. 2023 was a great year for food and travel. I travelled to numerous beautiful exciting places and tasted some phenomenal food. In no particular order, here’s a list of my top 15 dishes of the year:

1. Wagyu beef tartare, on brioche, topped with Russian Osetra caviar dish at RSVP, Dubai

2. Szechuan tuna, tamarind, ponzu and basil dish at Pier, Cape Town

3. Green peas, turnip greens and verbena dish at Wils, Amsterdam

4. Crème fraîche and cucumber dish at Mauro’s Table, London

5. Strawberry dessert at Arpege, Paris

6. Beetroot millefeuille with beurre blanc dish at Rijks, Amsterdam

7. Vanilla Madness dessert at Orfali Bros Bistro, Dubai

8. Deconstructed chicken and mushroom pie at Embarc, Johannesburg

9. Steak and pepper sauce at Kudu, London

10. West coast mussels at Tokara, Stellenbosch

11. Namibian crab, game fish and Madgascan caviar dish at La Colombe, Cape Town

12. Saffron risotto with liquorice dish by Massimiliano Alajmo at Talea by Antonio Guida, Abu Dhabi

13. Hokkaido scallop and Sea Buckthorn dish at Orfali Bros Bisto, Dubai

14. Rhubarb palate cleanser at Wils, Amsterdam

15. Amasi millet dessert at Emazulwini, Cape Town

Here’s hoping 2024 is just as fabulous for food and travel. Wishing you all a very happy new year!