Starting signal for Copa Jerez 2026

FREIBURG IM BREISGAU. At the international final of the Copa Jerez 2025 on 2 and 3 June in Jerez de la Frontera, the team from Denmark secured victory: chef Emil Rask Bahr and sommelier Andreas Kobs Laursen from the restaurant Sdr. Bjert Kro in Bjert (DNK) impressed the jury with an innovative three-course menu and outstanding pairings with sherry wines. Germany was also strongly represented at the final: Jan Nachtigall, head chef at Novanta Bar & Restaurant in Essen, and sommelier Ali Schmidt presented their menu with great commitment and showed how creatively and quality-consciously sherry is used in this country.

The Copa Jerez is one of the most important events on the international wine and gastronomy scene. Teams from eight countries compete in a live competition that focuses on culinary excellence and perfect sherry pairings. The competition is part of the two-day Copa Jerez Forum & Competition, which combines lectures, tastings and exclusive winemaking experiences.

Talented duos from the kitchen and sommelier can now apply to take part in Copa Jerez 2026 in Germany via this link. We are looking for teams who want to showcase the potential of sherry wines with passion, skill and a spirit of innovation. The winners of the national competition will be allowed to represent Germany at the next international final in Spain in 2027. The exact venue and date for the German preliminary round in 2026 will be announced shortly.

Application requirements and procedure: The Copa Jerez is a unique opportunity for restaurateurs to showcase their talent on an international stage, focussing on the art of perfect and harmonious pairing. A great menu and the ability to pair it with the right sherry wines are the weapons candidates need to secure a place in the national final. The competition is open to teams of chefs and sommeliers from the same or different restaurants or catering companies who have at least three references of Marco de Jerez wines on their menu.

Together, they must create a three-course menu proposal - starter, main course and dessert - and select the sherry or manzanilla wine that best accompanies each course. The gastronomic quality of the menu, creativity and the right choice of wine pairing are the decisive factors for winning. From all the proposals received, a panel of experts will select the three finalist teams who will be allowed to present their proposals at the Copa Jerez national final. There, the teams must create their proposals on site and defend them in front of a jury of leading experts from the gastronomy scene. Interested parties can submit their application online here.