- Written by: Chefluencer Editorial Team
Sunday, October 5th
The Jane Opening - Antwerp, Belgium
After months of anticipation, The Jane has reopened its doors in Antwerp, a moment that feels less like a comeback and more like creative ignition. Now set in the city’s Het Eilandje district, the restaurant leaves behind the theatrical grandeur of its former chapel and moves into a space that channels minimalism, precision, texture, and control. Nicolas Schuybroek’s design redefines atmosphere through material contrast: concrete and brass, sculptural light and soft acoustics, openness balanced with intimacy. Every element, from the kitchen’s choreography to the flow of the room, is tuned for clarity and emotion.
In the kitchen, Nick Bril cooks with new energy and freer rhythm, building tasting menus (€285–€375) that unfold layered, unexpected, and alive with pulse. This new Jane is not a replica of its past, but an evolution of its spirit: refined, restless, and unmistakably contemporary.
READ MORE SOON
Thu, 16th - Sun, 19th October
Ein Prosit - Udine, Italy
Udine, a modest yet magnetically vibrant city in Friuli Venezia Giulia, has become one of Europe’s most anticipated gatherings for chefs, winemakers, and gastronomic thinkers. The industry's energy permeates every part of the city. For the industry, it is a rare opportunity to spend time over a glass of Gravner, just to talk, share ideas, get inspired, or chill together.
For 4 days, Ein Prosit will host more than 140 curated events: dinners, tastings, workshops, masterclasses, and conversations with international chefs and wine experts. In its showpiece “Io sono Friuli Venezia Giulia – Blancs,” a 900 m² transparent pavilion in Via Mercatovecchio will welcome around 70 regional producers (50 wineries, 20 food artisans) to present their craft in immersive tastings. The festival attracts over 90 internationally recognised chefs, and more than 50 food media representatives from around the globe, along with industry insiders and food enthusiasts.
Friday, October 17th
Kraken by Grégoire Berger opening - Dubai, UAE
Dubai’s dining scene gains a new gravitational point with Kraken, the long-awaited project from Grégoire Berger — a restaurant that exchanges underwater theatrics for something sharper, quieter, and closer to the source. Set on Al Wasl Road, Kraken draws its identity from the Arabian Gulf, both literally and philosophically. Berger and co-founder Badr Benryane have built their own fishing operation to supply the kitchen daily, collapsing the distance between ocean and plate. In the kitchen, Executive Chef Robin Höfer (formerly of The Bygmalion, Berlin) leads day-to-day service with a discipline that mirrors Berger’s vision. The result is fine dining stripped of excess: grilled octopus with chilli and seaweed mole, roasted quail with coastal herbs, and a menu that builds meaning through sourcing, structure, and precision.
A compact open kitchen defines the centre, framed by brushed steel counters and low, linear seating. Tables sit close to the pass; there’s no separation between prep, plating, and service. You hear the fire, you see the ice being cracked for raw dishes, and the smell of grilled fish carries through the room.
Tuesday, October 14th
Spain Fusion debuts in Mexico City
NH Collection Mexico City Reforma will host Spanish pantry icons and producers under the Spain Food Nation banner, organised by Vocento Gastronomía, Alimentos de España, and Foods & Wines from Spain (ICEX). The programme features demos and classes led by top Spanish chefs: Álvaro Salazar, Juanlu Fernández, Pepe Vieira, Vicente Torres and César Castañeda, with Master of Wine Fernando Mora and AOVE specialist Alfonso Fernández guiding tastings. Nineteen Spanish companies will showcase products—twelve of them wineries—spanning olive oil, olives, cured meats, almonds and festive sweets. The day concludes with Spain Night Out, featuring tapas from six ICEX-certified restaurants in CDMX (Ajoblanco, Zeru, Emilio, Vega, La Cocina del Bizco, Bulla), aimed at industry professionals.
October 1st-November 21st
James Beard Award 2026 Open Call - US
The James Beard Foundation has opened submissions — and whether you cook, write, film, or tell stories through food, this is your moment.
Chefs across America can now be nominated for the Restaurant & Chef Awards, celebrating the creativity, discipline, and leadership shaping today’s kitchens. For storytellers everywhere, the Media Awards welcome entries from around the world: books, journalism, podcasts, film, and social platforms — as long as they speak the language of food in English.
HOW TO ENTER - JAMES BEARD AWARDS
Sunday, October 26th
5th Anniversary of KOL - London, UK
For one night only, Santiago Lastra is clearing out the tables of his Michelin-starred dining room and inviting four of the world’s most celebrated chefs to London: Thomas Frebel (Noma Projects, Copenhagen), Rodolfo Guzmán (Boragó, Santiago), Nicolai Nørregaard (Kadeau, Copenhagen) and Ana Roš (Hiša Franko, Kobarid) for a one-off taco feast.
Thursday, Oct 30th
50 Best Hotels 2025 Gala - London, UK
The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 Gala – London, UK — 30 October 2025 · The awards will return to Old Billingsgate, London, bringing together leading voices in global hospitality for the unveiling of the 2025 ranking. This year’s edition expands the voting body and introduces several new regions represented in the Academy by new Academy Chairs for the first time, including:
Africa - Wendy Watta
Central & Eastern Europe - Hrvoje Petrić
Latin America South - Camilla Guebur
USA & Canada West - Samantha Brooks
Over 800 industry experts will cast their votes to determine the world’s top hotels.
WATCH THE CEREMONY LIVESTREAM HERE
Other Openings around the World in October 2025
Europe
- Rosario, Paris 2e — late Oct (opening) · José María Goñi Martínez (ex-El Club Allard). Announced “fin octobre 2025” on the restaurant’s IG; listings in Le Figaro and Time Out Paris confirm the opening window.
- Barbo, Paris 14e - Oct 25 · Alexandre Aziza (ex - Sens Cannes, Fulgurances l'Adresses, The Conservatory, Domaine Lanc) - a bistro with ambitions, seasonal and local produce, and nicely selected wine list.
- Tobi Masa (The Chancery Rosewood), London, UK — mid/late Oct · Masayoshi “Masa” Takayama. First London project from the three-star chef. Rosewood site lists “Opening late October”; *Wallpaper * and Hot Dinners cite mid-October debut.
- Les Grand Table du Mond - Oct 12th-15th · Athens
Athens, a city of light, memory, and rebirth, set the stage for this year’s Les Grandes Tables du Monde Congress. Between the blue of the Aegean and the marble of ancient temples, the world’s most remarkable restaurateurs, chefs, sommeliers, and artisans gather to celebrate what defines their craft: excellence, hospitality, and the joy of sharing.
Over 200 participants will come together for three days of reflection, emotion, and celebration; an edition marked by genuine connection, bold ideas, and a contagious sense of enthusiasm. Les Grandes Tables du Monde will proudly welcome 18 new member restaurants across 11 countries, expanding its network to 206 exceptional houses in 28 nations.
Middle East
- Carbone Dubai (Atlantis The Royal), UAE — 6 Oct · Major Food Group (Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, Jeff Zalaznick)
- Tasca by José Avillez (Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai), UAE — 14 Oct (reopen) · José Avillez. One-Michelin-star Portuguese fine-dining rooftop reopens after seasonal closure.
Asia
- Peter (The Peninsula Tokyo), Japan — 1 Oct (concept relaunch) · Modern-French rebrand of the hotel’s flagship restaurant.
- La Volta (Causeway Bay, Hong Kong) — 3 Oct · Roland Schuller (ex-Octavium, 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana). Refined Italian pastas; confirmed open in the first week of October per SCMP and Time Out HK.
- Nikuya Tanaka (Singapore) — 12 Oct · Tokyo’s top-rated kappo steakhouse opens first international outpost; 10-seat counter + 5-seat private room.
- Forage (Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, Singapore) — 3 Oct · Marcus Tan. Fine-dining harvest-to-table concept with five- and eight-course menus.
Oceania
- Huami (SkyCity Adelaide, Australia) — 24 Oct · Johnny Zhong. Contemporary Chinese restaurant with open Peking-duck oven.
North America
- COTE Las Vegas (The Venetian), USA — 4 Oct · Simon Kim / David Shim. Korean-American steakhouse omakase.
- Hwaro (inside GUI, Times Square, NYC, USA) — 14 Oct · Sungchul Shim. 22-seat Korean tasting-menu counter.