Applications for INTERNORGA competitions launched

HAMBURG - With the INTERNORGA Future Prize and NEXT CHEF AWARD, the leading international trade fair will be focusing on the future potential of the out-of-home market from 14 to 18 March. This is where established companies meet start-ups and top chefs meet up-and-coming talent. Companies with innovative, sustainable ideas and talented chefs can now apply for the coveted awards.

More than just an award: the INTERNORGA Future Award recognises companies that are leading the way with innovative ideas and technologies as well as sustainable entrepreneurship and are helping to shape the future of the out-of-home market with outstanding commitment. The award sets standards in terms of sustainability and innovation and offers valuable insights, inspiration and impetus for the entire industry. The coveted prize is awarded in three categories. In the "Food & Beverages" category, the "Oh Mungood" product range from OMG plantbased Food AB from Sweden won in 2024 with plant-based burger patties and mince made from mung beans. Since then, a lot has happened at the company: "Winning the INTERNORGA Future Award was a great start to our market entry in Germany. The positive media coverage helped our distributor VALUE FOOD to convince major partners such as Transgourmet & Edeka Foodservice of Oh Mungood. We are grateful that our products are already being used in so many daycare centres, schools, universities, canteens and restaurants," reports Caroline Nilsson, founder and CEO of OMG plantbased Food AB.

Rational AG from Landsberg am Lech was honoured in the "Technology & Equipment" category with an integrated cleaning and storage system for autonomous cleaning. "Winning the INTERNORGA Future Award is a special recognition of our daily work for RATIONAL. It shows us that we can shape the future in our industry and gives us additional motivation to continue developing our products every day. I can recommend every company to apply, because the dialogue and feedback open up valuable new perspectives," says Thomas Pfeiffer, Managing Director of RATIONAL Germany. In the "Catering & Hotel Industry" category, the einsmehr Hotel from Augsburg won over the jury. The inclusive hotel has developed its own training programme for young people with disabilities. "The INTERNORGA Future Award has not only brought attention to our core topic of inclusion in the hotel industry, but also recognition for us and our team, which is committed to diversity and a colourful working world every day: both from guests and from the industry network worldwide and also from incluencers from other industries who have become aware of us through the media presence," says Raúl Huerga Kanzler, Hotel Management Hotel einsmehr Augsburg. Applications can be submitted to INTERNORGA Zukunftspreis from now until 10 January 2025.

Thrills and spills at the NEXT CHEF AWARD

Germany's most exciting young chef competition is also back on the starting line: at the NEXT CHEF AWARD, young, ambitious talented chefs face the challenges of the high-calibre jury led by TV chef and co-initiator Johann Lafer. "It has long been known that fewer and fewer young people can imagine a professional future in the chef scene. With the NEXT CHEF AWARD, we are giving young talents a platform and drawing attention to the potential of promoting young talent. At the same time, we want to show how attractive our profession of chef is," says Lafer.

In several live challenges, the young talents will compete in an exciting race. What counts is creativity, skill and a flair for unusual flavour combinations. A particularly challenging task awaits in the final: a sophisticated dish created by Johann Lafer is to be cooked without any recipe or ingredients, based solely on visual impression and sense of flavour. Attractive prizes such as the publication of a cookery book are up for grabs. Participants also benefit from networking with each other and with well-known personalities from the industry. The award is seen as a springboard for the next generation of top chefs and has already produced numerous success stories. "I am very happy that I had the opportunity to take part in the competition. It was a great experience where I was not only able to showcase my skills and creativity, but also make many new and interesting contacts in the industry. I can recommend every young chef to apply too!" says Niklas Herrmann, winner of the NEXT CHEF AWARD 2024, from Aramark. Applications can be submitted on NEXT CHEF AWARD from now until 31 December 2024.

"I am very happy that I had the opportunity to take part in the competition. It was a great experience where I was not only able to demonstrate my skills and creativity, but also make many new and interesting contacts in the industry. I can recommend every young chef to apply as well!"

With these two innovative awards, INTERNORGA demonstrates the potential of the entire out-of-home sector and provides a platform for forward-looking companies and talented young people.