In a world where chefs are constantly pushing the boundaries of culinary excellence, it's intriguing to learn about the meals that captivated their own palates. During the New York City Wine & Food Festival, Chowhound asked 14 renowned chefs to share the most memorable dining experiences they had in 2024. From the bustling streets of New York to the far-flung corners of the globe, these culinary masters have indulged in a kaleidoscope of flavors that have left an indelible mark on their taste buds.

Savoring the Finest Flavors Across the Globe

Marc Murphy's Basque Delight at Ernesto's

For Marc Murphy, whose culinary journey has taken him from Paris to Milan and Rome, the most memorable meal of 2024 was at Ernesto's, a Basque-inspired restaurant on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Opened in 2019 by Chef Ryan Bartlow, Ernesto's menu features a tantalizing array of pintxos, or Basque-style small plates, including croquettes and toasts filled with shrimp and sausage. Murphy particularly relished a trio of dishes: the Bacalao en Salsa Verde with Spanish salt cod, the Arroz de Conejo rabbit and rice dish, and the Callos de Joan tripe offering.

Andrew Zimmern's Culinary Odyssey: Somaek and Veau d'Or

With an insatiable appetite for global flavors, Andrew Zimmern, the 4-time James Beard Award-winner, found two standout dining experiences in 2024. In Boston, he was captivated by Somaek, a Korean restaurant that The New York Times hailed as one of the country's 50 best new eateries. Zimmern was particularly enamored with the restaurant's exceptional banchan, or Korean side dishes. Closer to home, Zimmern was equally impressed by the resurrection of Veau d'Or, a beloved Upper East Side French bistro that had been shuttered for five years before being revived by chefs Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr in 2024. Zimmern praised the duo's ability to reinvent the cuisine of his childhood, evoking fond memories of his father's visits to the original Veau d'Or.

Antonia Lofaso's Korean Culinary Epiphany at Atoboy

Hailing from Los Angeles with Italian roots, Antonia Lofaso found her culinary mind "blown" by her experience at Atoboy, a Korean restaurant in New York's NOMAD neighborhood. Opened in 2016, Atoboy's focus on the concept of banchan, or small side dishes, left a lasting impression on Lofaso. She was particularly captivated by the restaurant's Korean fried chicken and a cold mussel noodle dish that featured chopped mussels transformed into a relish-like accompaniment.

Gabriele Bertaccini's Rustic Delight at Blackbird

As a native of Florence, Italy, Gabriele Bertaccini has brought the flavors of his Tuscan heritage to his culinary ventures in America. However, it was a meal at Blackbird in Bozeman, Montana that stood out as his favorite of 2024. Bertaccini praised the restaurant's menu, which he described as being "very much inspired by this general theme of connected to the land," featuring an abundance of meat, foraged ingredients, and exceptional breads.

Jet Tila's Noodle Nirvana at Rodded

Jet Tila, a scion of the family that opened some of the first Thai markets and restaurants in America, found it challenging to single out his most memorable meal of 2024. Ultimately, he settled on Rodded, a cash-only Thai restaurant in the Central Los Angeles neighborhood of Thai Town. Tila and his friend, fellow chef Bobby Flay, were captivated by Rodded's duck noodle soup, as well as the restaurant's other Thai noodle dishes like pad Thai and pad see-ew.

Alex Guarnaschelli's Seasonal Delight at Hearth

As the daughter of a cookbook editor, Alex Guarnaschelli has long been immersed in the world of food. Her favorite dining experience of 2024 was at Hearth, a wine bar and Italian-inspired restaurant in New York City's East Village. Guarnaschelli praised the restaurant's seasonal menu, which in the fall featured dishes showcasing autumn squash and pumpkin seed pesto. Whether dining à la carte or indulging in Hearth's family-style tasting menu, Guarnaschelli found the experience to be both delicious and transportive.

Marcus Samuelsson's Filipino Feast at Kasama

Marcus Samuelsson, a chef with a global perspective, having been born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, found his culinary senses captivated by Kasama, a Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant in Chicago. Opened in 2020 by partners Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, Kasama offers a modern twist on Filipino cuisine, serving pork-centric dishes and sandwiches during the day, and a reservation-only tasting menu at night. Samuelsson was enthralled by the restaurant's ability to showcase the flavors of the Philippines in a refined and innovative manner.

Rocco DiSpirito's Homecoming at Torrisi

For Rocco DiSpirito, whose rise to fame was catalyzed by the reality show "The Restaurant," his favorite dining experience of 2024 was at Torrisi, a top Italian restaurant in New York City's Puck Building. Opened in 2022 by the Major Food Group, Torrisi's menu captivated DiSpirito, who praised the restaurant's "unpretentious fine dining" approach, as well as the exceptional wine and service. He was particularly enamored by the tortellini with fresh tomato and the duck with a mulberry glaze, the latter of which was inspired by DiSpirito's own duck recipe.

Scott Conant's Culinary Collaboration at Meta

James Beard Award-winner Scott Conant, known for his Italian-inspired dishes at restaurants like Scarpetta and Cellaio, found himself drawn to the fusion cuisine of Meta in Singapore. Opened in 2015 and now in its second location, Meta blends Korean, Japanese, and Western culinary techniques under the guidance of chef Sun Kim. Conant was particularly impressed by the restaurant's 12-course tasting menu, which showcased Kim's ability to collaborate with other renowned chefs like Michihiro Haruta and Gaggan Anand.

Dominique Ansel's Nostalgic Delight at Café Carmellini

Dominique Ansel, the creator of the viral Cronut, often seeks out the culinary creations of other chefs when he's not in his own kitchen. In 2024, Ansel was captivated by a meal at Café Carmellini, a two-story restaurant in New York's NoHo neighborhood. Ansel particularly enjoyed the beef tongue, which he described as "excellent" and reminiscent of a "childhood memory."

Geoffrey Zakarian's Gracious Hospitality at The Corner Store

For Geoffrey Zakarian, a judge on "Chopped" and a regular on "The Kitchen," the most memorable dining experience of 2024 was not necessarily about the food itself, but rather the overall ambiance and hospitality. Zakarian emphasized that a truly memorable meal is often more about the people you're with and the atmosphere of the restaurant than the specific dishes. He singled out The Corner Store in New York City, a trendy spot that has been frequented by the likes of Taylor Swift, as an example of a restaurant that excelled in creating a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience.

Kardea Brown's Steak Sensation at Marbled & Fin

As a chef synonymous with the culinary traditions of South Carolina, Kardea Brown found her taste buds captivated by a new steakhouse in her hometown of Charleston, Marbled & Fin. Brown, who often prepares her own expertly cooked steaks, was blown away by the ribeye steak at Marbled & Fin, describing it as the "best steak" she had ever tasted.

Robert Irvine's Charitable Culinary Connections

For Robert Irvine, the renowned chef and entrepreneur, the most memorable dining experiences of 2024 were not necessarily about the food itself, but rather the connections and camaraderie he shared with those around him. While he praised the fine-dining establishment Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Florida, Irvine's most cherished meals were those he shared with the military troops he visited in Afghanistan and Iraq, where he cooked up burgers, hot dogs, and chicken with his "heart for people [he] love[s]."

Michael Symon's Middle Eastern Masterpiece at Shukette

Cleveland-born chef Michael Symon, known for his Mediterranean and Eastern European-inspired cuisine, found his favorite restaurant of 2024 to be Shukette, a Middle Eastern eatery in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood. Symon and his wife Liz were frequent visitors to the intimate dinner-only spot, which he described as "the best restaurant in New York right now." Shukette, an offshoot of Ayesha Nurdjaja's Shuka restaurant, offers a variety of delectable breads and dips, as well as standout dishes like the Fish In Cage.