Trending: Forget the Oscars, this awards ceremony is the real hunger games...

Michelin three-starred chef Heston Blumenthal, with Dinner, is still fighting for the award (AFP)

For chefs, tonight is the big night. It's when the 2012 World's 50 Best Restaurant awards are handed out – and since Michelin has been deemed a bit off the pace in recent years, it's the most desired industry acknowledgement.

For the last two years, the Danish phenomenon that is Noma has won and there's talk that it's still influential enough to make it a triple. But last year Britain's The Ledbury was the highest new entry and if getting a table is any indication of success, it's a shoo-in for top ten at least. Then there's Heston Blumenthal's Dinner, still packing them in.

We've got the home advantage: despite this being a global competition, the awards take place at London's Guildhall. But even though there's widespread financial woe, restaurants from Singapore to Peru are booming and in contention for the top slot. One thing's for sure, whoever the knives are out for and whoever's dish of the day, the entire event will be liberally seasoned with tweets of astonishment and congratulation.

Bet the nominees don't dine on rubber chicken and bread rolls.

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