Into the anniversary year with 30 talents

FREIBURG - The anniversary edition of the Chef of the Year competition has begun. 30 of the most promising candidates from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and South Tyrol have been invited to the big casting - a record in the history of the competition. Particularly noteworthy: Applicants from over 15 nations reflect the impressive diversity and internationality of the German-speaking gastronomy scene - with a result that has never been seen before.

"So many applications, so many talents, so much passion - this shows us how colourful, lively and creative the culinary landscape in DACH is. We are proud of this diversity," said the organisers Núria Roig and Christian Kamm (CEO Roika Solutions GmbH). For the first time in the history of the competition, all 30 selected participants came together at the same time. They each presented a signature dish to the expert jury that expressed their personal story and culinary signature - in keeping with this year's motto "Cook your life". The judges included top chefs Christian Sturm-Willms (Yunico*, Bonn) and Christopher Knippschild (The Dining Room*, Cham, CH). "The standard was exceptional. Each plate was a reflection of personality - bold, creative, emotional. It was a privilege to witness this moment," said judge Sturm-Willms.

Premiere of the new evaluation criterion: self-promotion as a key competence

New in this anniversary edition: in addition to cookery skills, the ability to market oneself was assessed for the first time. Each candidate had three minutes to inspire the sponsors and partners with their story, attitude and vision. "A modern chef is not only an artist at the cooker, but also a storyteller. He has to touch guests, create an experience, enable identification," explains CEO Kamm. The new evaluation criterion was assessed by the competition partners - including Intergast, Albers, Churchill, 11er, Riso Gallo and Bunge. "This new dimension excited us. We are not seeing anonymous applicants here, but people with a clear attitude, vision and passion. Chef of the Year is not just a competition - it's a network that inspires and connects," says Anette Hill, Head of Marketing at Intergast.

11 places awarded for the semi-final - a second chance for 18 more

At the end of the day, the jury awarded 11 tickets for the semi-finals. In addition, Sonja Denninger (Newcomer of the Year 2024) has already been allocated a place. The remaining 18 candidates will get a second chance: they will compete on 25 May 2025 at the Chefs Challenge Night at the Kameha Grand Bonn - live in front of over 400 restaurateurs, industry insiders and foodies. Two further places for the final will be awarded there by public vote. "Chef of the Year 2025" contestant overview - casting selection A legendary result: three full scores - that shows the incredibly high standard of the competition!

These 12 talents are in the semi-finals (sorted by surname): Full points scored:

• Denis Brühl, one of the two chefs, Relais & Châteaux Landhaus Stricker, Sylt (Tinnum)
• Fabian Höckenreiner, head chef, Fichters Kulturladen, Ramsau
• Laurenz Jürgens, Sous Chef, Jan's Restaurant*, Detmold

Also in the semi-finals:

• Mario Aliberti, Managing Partner & Head Chef, 5 Sen:ses by Mario Aliberti and P.I Cantina, Karlsruhe
• Sonja Denninger, Sous Chef, Rauschenberger Eventcatering, Munich (entered directly into the semi-finals as Newcomer of the Year 2024)
• Michel Gietz, Head Chef, Bootshaus Restaurant, Papa Rhein Hotel, Bingen am Rhein
• Christian Hoffmann, Sous Chef, Golvet*, 40 SECONDS Service GmbH, Berlin
• Masaru Oae, Head Chef & Managing Director, Masa Japanese Cuisine*, Frankfurt am Main
• Julio Pizarro, Head Chef & Managing Director, Pizarro Fine Dining, Groß-Gerau
• Helge Straub-Schilling, Head Chef, Genusswerkstatt Mainz and Atrium Restaurant, Mainz
• Daniel Wallenstein, Sous Chef, Restaurant Alois - Dallmayr Fine Dining**, Munich
• Christian Zitzer, Head Chef & Owner, Berghaus Gonzen, Azmoos (St. Gallen, CH)

These 18 talents are taking part in the Chef Challenge Night:

• Peter Bogdanovic, Executive Chef, Gasthaus Sternen Bohlingen, Radolfzell
• Darrick Carter, Executive Chef, Wasserturm Hotel - Curio Collection by Hilton, Cologne
• Andrea De Carlo, Sous-Chef, Bavarie by Käfer - BMW Welt, Munich
• Michael Deml, Executive Chef, Gasthaus Franz Inselkammer, Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn
• Erwin Dillmann, Sous-Chef, Wein- und Tafelhaus*, Trittenheim
• Jonathan Gangnus, Operations Manager, Restaurant Shedhalle | Siemens AG, Stuttgart
• Jonas Kachel, Kitchen Manager, Murrhardt Youth Hostel & Founder of SeinMahl, Murrhardt
• Sascha Köhler, Sous-Chef, Restaurant Waldschlösschen | Vila Vita, Dagobertshausen
• Rik Mayer, Sous-Chef, Schwarzer Adler Franz Keller*, Oberbergen
• Philipp Müller, Head Chef, Schlosshotel Steinburg, Würzburg
• Pascal Oudotte, Head Chef, Restaurant Stilbruch, Karlsruhe
• Felix Plankensteiner, The Cloud (formerly Esszimmer by Bobby Bräuer), Feinkost Käfer, Munich
• Marco Regione, Chef, Obere Metzgerei Franz Winterhalter GmbH, Freiburg
• Niklas Reinholz, Chef de Partie Entremetier, Restaurant Hannappel*, Essen
• Johannes Rolfes, Head Chef, Alte Posthalterei, Lingen
• Nicolas Scheuermann, Manager and Head Chef, Cookery Workshop, BASF Gastronomie GmbH, Ludwigshafen
• Markus Suntinger, Chef de Partie, Bonvivant Cocktailbistro*, Berlin
• Martin Zeißl, Head Chef, Die Zwoa Weinviertla, Schrick, Austria

The tension is mounting: Who will make it to the grand final? Who will be Chef of the Year 2025? We invite you to be there - get your tickets now for the next stages on the way to the title of "Chef of the Year 2025":

• - Chefs Challenge Night & semi-final: 25 & 26 May 2025, Kameha Grand Bonn
• - Newcomer Night & Final: 16 & 17 November 2025, Grand Hall Zollverein, Essen