CHEF:IN with more female chefs

HAMBURG. Julia Leitner cooks at CODA in Berlin, which has two Michelin stars, Rosina Ostler impresses at Alois in Munich, also with two stars, and Alina Meissner-Bebrout is revolutionising Swabian cuisine with her bibraud in Ulm. What do these three women have in common? They belong to a new generation of top female chefs who are shaping German gastronomy – and they are just the tip of the iceberg.

From 18 to 72: the big expansion

CHEF:IN, which started in January 2025 with 18 female chefs, is now significantly expanding its platform: five specialised watch lists with a total of 72 women comprehensively document female expertise in German haute cuisine for the first time. In addition to the expanded list of female chefs (27 women), CHEF:IN now also honours sommeliers, bartenders, hostesses and international chefs. "German haute cuisine is becoming more female – and not just in the kitchen," explains Denise Snieguole Wachter, founder of CHEF:IN. "With our expansion, we are recognising the expertise of women in all areas of fine dining. From the bar to the service to the wine cellar – there are exceptional talents everywhere who deserve more visibility.

Only four percent: the starting point

The figures speak for themselves: only four percent of award-winning chefs in Germany are women. Despite outstanding achievements, Michelin stars and innovative concepts, they remain invisible. Structural hurdles such as 16-hour days, patriarchal structures and the difficulty of balancing work and family life make it difficult for them to advance. But change is noticeable. More and more women are making their mark not only in the kitchen, but also in the bar, service and wine consulting. CHEF:IN is now systematically highlighting this development.

The new CHEF:IN Watch Lists 2026 are divided into five categories:
CHEF:IN CHEFS (27): The expanded base presents Germany's leading female chefs – from established Michelin-starred chefs such as Julia Anna Leitner (Coda, Berlin) and Rosina Ostler (Alois, Munich) to TV personalities such as Alina Meissner-Bebrout (bibraud, Edda, Ulm) and Zora Klipp (Weidenkantine, Blattgold, Hamburg) to up-and-coming talents such as Marita Rempel (Restaurant GUI, Bielefeld) and Clara Hunger (nullkommaeins, Hamburg).

The complete list:

• Alexandra Strödel
• Alina Meissner-Bebrout (bibraud, Edda, Ulm)
• Ash Lee (Chungking, Berlin)
• Cäcilia Baldszus (Bar Basta, Berlin)
• Clara Hunger
• Cornelia Fischer (Überfahrt, Tegernsee)
• Diana Burkel (Würzhaus, Nuremberg)
• Hannah Cooper Borchardt (Feed the Pony, Berlin)
• Julia Anna Leitner (Coda, Berlin)
• Julia Komp (Sahila, Cologne)
• Lisa Angermann (FRIEDA, Leipzig)
• Marita Rempel (Restaurant GUI, Bielefeld)
• Nathalie Leblond (Les Deux, Munich)
• Nina Meyer (Bio Berghotel Ifenblick, Balderschwang)
• Pratek Reen (Madam Chutney, Munich)
• Rosina Ostler (Alois, Munich)
• Sandra Hofer (Oma & Enkel, Wirsberg)
• Sarah Hallmann (Hallmann & Klee, Berlin)
• Shani Ahiel (Yafo, Berlin)
• Shani Leiderman (Beba will Feed You, Berlin)
• Sophia Hoffmann (Happa, Berlin)
• Sophia Rudolph (Lovis, Berlin)
• Sophie & Xenia Oswald (Rocket & Basil, Berlin)
• Sonja Baumann (Neobiota, Cologne)
• Viktoria Fuchs (Romantik-Hotel Spielweg, Münstertal)
• Zora Klipp (Weidenkantine, Blattgold, Hamburg)

CHEFS AND HOSTESSES (12): They orchestrate the guest experience, create atmosphere and ensure unforgettable moments – this new category honours the art of fine hospitality for the first time.

• Anja Kirchpfening (Aura, Wirsberg)
• Claudia Steinbauer (Luna D'Oro, Clärchens, Berlin)
• Ilona Scholl (Tulus Lotrek, Berlin)
• Julia Kolbeck (Mokum, Munich)
• Katharina Bambach (Sphere Fernsehturm, Berlin)
• Kathi Feix (Esszimmer Marburg)
• Kristiane Kegelmann (pars Restaurant, Berlin)
• Kristin Hendricks-Fuchs (Spielweg, Münstertal)
• Marie-Anne Wild (Restaurant Tim Raue, Berlin)
• Mical Rosenblat (Loumi, Berlin)
• Sophie Lehmann (100/200, Hamburg)
• Stefanie Fritz (Das Kulinariat, Munich)

CHEF SOMMELIERS (10): Wine expertise at the highest level: these sommeliers are shaping the beverage culture in Germany's best restaurants and setting new standards in wine consulting.

• Andrea Hochlenert (Freundschaft, Berlin)
• Anna Widmann (Ursprung in Widmanns Alb.Leben, Königsbronn)
• Bärbel Ring (Sölring Hof, Sylt)
• Ester Eggert (Victor's Fine Dining by Christian Bau, Perl-Nennig)
• Marie Christin Baunach (Überfahrt, Tegernsee)
• Mona Schrader (Jante, Hanover)
• Nancy Grossmann (Grill Royal, Berlin)
• Stefanie Hehn (The Fontenay, Hamburg / Lakeside, Hamburg)
• Stephanie Döring (Weinladen St. Pauli, Hamburg)
• Zola Zingler (Carte blanche, Frankfurt)

CHEF BARMAID (10): From classic bar culture to innovative cocktail concepts – these barmaids prove that the bar is no longer a male domain.

• Alina Bazen (Das Schwarze Schaf, Bamberg)
• Aurora Almenar (Bar Clara, Berlin)
• Bettina Kupsa (The Chug Club, Hamburg)
• Constanze Lay (The Rabbit Hole Bar, Hamburg)
• Emma Kleemann (Bohemian Bar, Hamburg)
• Maria Gorbatschova (Green Door Bar, Berlin)
• athalie Tran (Ory Bar, Munich)
• Phoenix Headlam (Bar Nomu, Hamburg)
• Susan Ann MacKenzie (Tantris, Munich)
• Susan Choi (Mr. Susan, Berlin)

CHEF:IN INTERNATIONAL (13): Thinking outside the box: This list presents female chefs who are causing a stir internationally and show that female culinary expertise is a global phenomenon.

• Adejoke Bakare (Chishuru, London, UK)
• Ana Ros (Hisa Franko, Slovenia)
• Elif Oskan (Gül, Zurich, Switzerland)
• Jessica Rosval (Al Gatto Verde/Roots, Modena, Italy)
• Manon Fleury (Datil, Paris, France)
• Pia Leon (Kjolle, Lima, Peru)
• Pichaya "Pam" Soontornyanakij (Potong, Bangkok, Thailand)
• Stefanie Herkner (Zur Herknerin, Vienna, Austria)
• Tina Marcelli (JOHANNS Gourmet Restaurant by Tina Marcelli, Austria)
• Vicky Lau (Tate, Hong Kong)
• Vita Bartininkaite (Pas mus, Vilnius, Lithuania)
• Zineb Hattab (Kle, Zurich, Switzerland)

From platform to brand

With this expansion, CHEF:IN is evolving into a comprehensive brand: in 2026, video content series will be created and the CHEF:IN Awards will be held in Hamburg in September – the first event of its kind to honour exclusively female gastronomic expertise. "We don't just document, we actively shape," emphasises D. "These 72 women are role models for the next generation. They show that excellence in gastronomy is female, diverse and forward-looking."