Hayingen: 1950

In 2024, five restaurants from the professional organic chefs' association "Die BIOSpitzenköche" will once again confirm their "Green Michelin Star". This year, for the first time, a "red" star will also be awarded to one of the association's restaurants: Simon Tress has been awarded a Michelin star for his unique organic fine dining restaurant "1950" in Hayingen on the Swabian Alb, which has already held a Green Michelin star since 2020. What's special about "1950": Almost all of the ingredients used in the unique gourmet restaurant come from within a maximum radius of 25 km, with the exception of the salt. This uncompromising regionality is not only reflected in the dishes, but is also emphasised by maximum transparency: the respective producers are introduced with each course to give guests an insight into the origin of the ingredients. All five courses on the menu are purely vegetarian; meat is deliberately only available as a side dish. The Michelin star that has now been awarded makes "1950" the first certified organic Michelin star restaurant with 100 per cent organic cuisine.

"With our unique combination of maximum regionality, transparency and a sustainable, vegetarian approach, we have managed to set new standards for the catering industry," says Head Chef Tress. "We are proving that consistent sustainability and enjoyment can go hand in hand. We are very proud that this concept is working and has now been honoured with a Michelin star."

From the Elbe to the Alps: Green stars for top organic cuisine

Restaurant chefs Sebastian Junge at "Wolfs Junge" in Hamburg and Andrea and Marcello Gallotti with their restaurant "erasmus" in Karlsruhe have confirmed their Green Michelin star for the fifth year. Christl and Gabi Kurz with their vegetarian organic restaurant "Lockstein 1" in Berchtesgaden were honoured for the third year in a row in 2024. You can only become a member of the BIOSpitzenköche if you use almost exclusively organic ingredients in your kitchen. Their businesses are certified organic and are inspected at least once a year by organic inspection bodies. The honoured professional chefs implement sustainability down to the last detail: they work with seasonal ingredients mainly from organic farms in their region or from their own cultivation. They use packaging and energy sparingly. The chefs pay attention to fair production and working conditions not only in their restaurants, but also at partner and supplier companies. The respectful processing of almost all animal and plant ingredients and the protection of biodiversity are also important to them. For example, old animal breeds and vegetable varieties are used that are kept or cultivated by organic farmers.

Top organic cuisine is not just a gastronomic concept

The cookery association "Die BIOSpitzenköche" was founded 20 years ago, in January 2003. Their vision: "First-class, enjoyable and healthy cuisine for the benefit of people, animals and nature - now and for future generations." This still applies to its 24 members across Germany. As an initiative, they are part of the Federal Organic Farming Programme (BÖL). "The Michelin Guide award shows that sustainable organic cuisine is part of a successful, holistic catering concept," says Elmar Seck from BÖL. "With their work, organic chefs protect the climate, environment and resources. They contribute to biological and cultural diversity in their regions. They promote local agriculture and the local economy. But above all, they prove the high quality and great flavour of organic products every day."

The "BIOSpitzenköche" & Michelin Guide: excellent restaurants 2024

• Organic restaurant "Rose" and organic fine dining restaurant "1950", Simon Tress, Hayingen-Ehestätten, Green Michelin star since 2020 for both restaurants, Michelin star 2024 for the restaurant "1950"
• Organic fine dining restaurant "erasmus", Andrea & Marcello Gallotti, Karlsruhe, Green Michelin star since 2020
• Organic restaurant "Wolfs Junge", Sebastian Junge, Hamburg, Green Michelin star since 2020
• Organic restaurant "Lockstein 1" at Bio-Hotel Kurz, Gabriele and Christl Kurz, Berchtesgaden, Green Michelin star since 2022