The secrets of a good hamburger, according to one of the world's best chefs

On social media, there are endless debates, such as what's the best pizza?, who makes the best fries?, or what's the best hamburger?; these can generate as much passion or unprecedented responses as in the world of politics, sports, or any other high-level conversation.

For example, when it comes to hamburgers, some people seek artisanal bread, wagyu beef, and cheese that has been aged for months; while others staunchly defend fast-food chains and the standardized processes that ensure quality anywhere on planet Earth.

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In the midst of this endless debate, a three-Michelin-starred chef decided to weigh in and take a bite out of the debate, leaving an opinion that has taken the internet by storm, due to its unexpectedness, despite the valid arguments of this culinary expert.

It all happened on "Versió Estiu," the summer program on RAC1 hosted by Pere Mas. There, in a relaxed conversation, Mas asked Jordi Cruz, chef at the prestigious ABaC in Barcelona and a judge on MasterChef, if he ever gave in to the temptation of going to a fast food place, and the answer was a resounding "Yes, of course I do."

It was at that very moment that Cruz dropped the bombshell and, taking a step further , confronted the show's host and said, "What's the best restaurant in the world? McDonald's."

More than one person in the studio raised their eyebrows, and on social media, the phrase became fuel for discussion. But Cruz didn't say it to provoke; he had a point. For him, a great restaurant is one that offers absolute consistency, guarantees the same experience anywhere in the world, and maintains food safety down to the last detail. And, according to the chef, McDonald's does it like no one else.

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"They know the burger has to be fine, fine, and well-done to make food poisoning impossible," he explained. The key, he said, "is that you can travel to any country and find the same burger, with the same flavor and texture. That's quality management and control."

Cruz clarified, however, that it's not his favorite restaurant, nor one he'd recommend every day; emphasizing that "dietetically, it's not something I eat every day, but it's good, not bad at all," and confessed that he actually goes for a very simple reason: "My wife loves it... and there's a name for that: henpecked," he joked, prompting laughter in the booth.

The chef said that at home he often receives a culinary ultimatum: "Pizza or a hamburger?" And while the latter doesn't always win, he maintains that McDonald's has a place in his menu, at least once in a while.

The lighthearted and humorous conversation was shared on the show's official X account with the phrase that has become the headline: "What is the best restaurant in the world? 'McDonald's,' says Jordi Cruz."

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Within hours, the video garnered a wide range of reactions, with some applauding the brand's recognition of its merits, which, while not aiming to compete with haute cuisine, has perfected a business model capable of serving millions of identical burgers every day; while others clutched their heads and questioned how a three-Michelin-starred chef could say such a thing.

The truth is that, between jokes and explanations, Jordi Cruz left a curious lesson: that excellence doesn't always come with white tablecloths or ten-course menus; instead, it sometimes hides behind a paper wrapper, behind a counter open at any time and that never fails to give you exactly what you expect.

DANIEL HERNÁNDEZ NARANJO Portfolio Journalist