Julia Komp receives Maker Award

COLOGNE: Michelin-starred chef Julia Komp has been honoured with the Female Mover Award 2025 in the Mover category of the Cologne Business Network for Women - "Macherinnen". The Mover Award honours female founders, entrepreneurs and leaders who get business and society moving. "My aim is for the history of the city of Cologne to read more female, more diverse - and therefore ultimately more complete," said Macherinnen founder Dr Marie-Christine Frank in her opening speech.

Julia Komp is receiving the award because she is setting new standards in top gastronomy with her restaurants Sahila and Yu*lia in Cologne, "cosmopolitan and sustainable. As the youngest female Michelin-starred chef in Germany, founder of the Kenzolie brand and initiator of the Female Culinary Circle, she inspires women in the kitchen - and far beyond," reads the citation.

Julia Komp expressed her gratitude in her latest newsletter: "I'm still completely overwhelmed. It was the first time I've ever cried on a stage. So many thoughts go through your head at that moment. You rewind your life, think about the many hours of work, the highs, the setbacks, the sacrifices that are often part of our industry - and the people who support, go along with and empathise with all of this. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who voted for me, to the jury for this special honour and to the organisers for this wonderful evening and for making women who are passionate about their path visible."