Martin Scharff serves up new show

HEIDELBERG: Martin Scharff's music dinner show at Heidelberg Castle starts for the fourth time on 21 November. As a regular winter event, it has become indispensable in and for the region. The top chef will once again transform the castle into a culinary show stage. On 21 dates, this time it's "The Music of Phil Collins meets Kay Scheffel". The music of a world star meets the unbeatable humour of the comedian and ventriloquist and "Artist of the Year 2024". Top chef Martin Scharff has now given press representatives a first insight into the concept of his new winter show and also revealed some new features. This time, however, not in the castle itself, but in the newly opened Hotel Hilton, which is the exclusive hotel partner this year and is offering special accommodation conditions.

"Handmade" live music and "handmade" menus

Under the motto "One day in Paradise" - based on the number one hit by Phil Collins from 1989 - guests can once again expect a combination of music, entertainment and culinary delights. "This kind of event in a castle is unique in Germany," says Martin Scharff. Scharff wants to top the entertainment this year with the exceptional comedian Kay Scheffel, who has just been honoured as "Artist of the Year 2024". Scheffel is known and loved as a reincarnation of Heinz Erhard, but also as a ventriloquist, presenter and singer.

Musically, this year's music dinner show is dedicated to one of the few stars who became a legend in their own lifetime: "Phil Collins created a monument to himself with his band Genesis back in the late 70s. Our guests enjoy a cross-section of over 20 world hits and four decades," says Scharff. As a great music lover and connoisseur, he searches for the best bands for his shows long in advance and personally throughout Germany. This year, he has managed to secure Europe's largest and most faithful Phil Collins & Genesis tribute band "True Collins". For more than 20 years, True Collins has stood for powerful, "handmade" music à la Collins with a passionate stage performance.

However, the 4-course menu from the Schlossweinstube, which is also prepared with craftsmanship and with which Scharff himself will shine, is a guarantee of enjoyment. The 60-year-old, who has been consistently awarded a Michelin star for 30 years, always impresses with flavourful and seasonal dishes. What is also important to him: "If it says Scharff on the label, it's also Scharff in it - every evening. The guests know that they can expect a harmonious and balanced menu that I have prepared myself." He incorporates the guests' wishes and suggestions into his menu every time: "As I'm present at every show and talk to the guests, I also listen carefully to what they like to eat. We've also reached a very high standard in terms of vegetarian and vegan dishes." This time, the menu consists of a "Ceasar-style" corn-fed poulard breast with romaine hearts and spiced tomatoes as a starter, a parsnip and chestnut soup with baked apple confit and vegetable crisps as an intermediate course; the main course is a veal boil with morel sherry cream and root vegetables - the meat is replaced in the vegetarian course by a trilogy of aubergine and a spring roll of porcini mushrooms. And for dessert, Scharff has a cassis yoghurt mousse served on tipsy figs with almond ice cream.

Tickets cost between 99 and 179 euros. Until now, the concept has always included prices for the show, menu and all drinks, including wines and cocktails. This year, Scharff wants to offer tickets for the show plus menu at certain tables in addition to this all-inclusive price. The drinks will then be charged separately. "This means we can offer tickets for these seats during the week and on Sunday from just 99 euros." This is intended to give guests who may not wish to drink alcohol the opportunity to experience the show at a lower price. An early booking discount is still available until the end of July and the Hilton Heidelberg, the hotel partner of Heidelberger Schloss Gastronomie, is offering guests of the shows an exclusive discount of 30 per cent on the current room rates.