Alex Atala Included in the 2013 Time 100 List

The annual Time 100 list of influential people has been announced, and it includes Brazilian chef Alex Atala. Noma's René Redzepi wrote the blurb about Atala in which he says: "Selflessly, [Atala] has surrendered to the enormous task of shaping a better food culture for Latin America. His philosophy of using native Brazilian ingredients in haute cuisine has mesmerized the continent." Atala is the chef and owner of D.O.M. in Sao Paulo, which is currently ranked #4 on the San Pellegrino World's 50 Best list. Past Time 100 chefs include José Andrés, René Redzepi, Grant Achatz, and David Chang.

Time celebrates Atala's influence by asking its international editor Bobby Ghosh to prepare Atala's hearts of palm fettucine in a tiny apartment kitchen. That video is below, do keep an eye out for the finger Ghosh cut using a mandoline.

The announcement of the Time 100 comes shortly after Atala held a press conference to announce the launch of his ATÁ institute, ALFA reports. The institute was founded in June of 2012 and, according to the Wall Street Journal, it is a "think tank" that aims to "address food-related practices in the Amazon." The institute now has a website, which includes a manifesto and a letter from Alex Atala.

Video: Can You Cook Like a Master Chef in Your Kitchen?

· The 2013 TIME 100, Artists: Alex Atala [Time]
· Alex Atala lança instituto para cuidar de alimentos e produtores [ALFA]
· Alex Atala Coverage on Eater [-E-]