Elena Arzak wins award to the best female chef of 2012

Basque chef Elena Arzak has won the Veuve Clicquot World's Best Female Chef award that celebrates the work of the exceptional female chef Madame Clicquot, the British magazine Restaurant announced on Tuesday.

Fourth generation in a long line of chefs, Elena Arzak, daughter to prestigious Basque chef Juan Mari Arzak lost out to France's Anne-Sophie Pic in 2011. In addition to her pedigree, Elena also received world-class training from the likes of Ferran Adrià and Alain Ducasse.

The award is inspired by the life and achievements of Madame Clicquot, who nearly 200 years ago, set the standard for women in business. The winner reflects Madame Clicquot’s attributes of innovation, creativity and determination.

The presentation of the World's Best Female Chef Award will take place at the S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards ceremony at London's Guildhall on April 30th.

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 eight in last year's list.