*Der Feinschmecker* selects the ‘Top 30 under 30’

HAMBURG. They cook, serve, advise guests, develop new concepts and are already shaping the future of Germany’s top-class gastronomy: In its major “Next Generation” special, Der Feinschmecker presents the “Top 30 under 30” – young talents from the kitchen, service and sommelier worlds who want to transform the industry.

Whether it’s fine dining on the go, nature-inspired ‘farm-to-table’ concepts, modern wine bars or new forms of hospitality – many of today’s young restaurateurs have a different take on culinary enjoyment: high-quality yet approachable, creative and with a new understanding of team culture and work-life balance. “The younger generation is now stepping up – and what unites them all is being creative, passionate and approachable in their work,” writes Editor-in-Chief Gabriele Heins in the special’s editorial. “We present – as representatives of many young talents in Germany – the top 30 under 30.”

The award-winning young talents include, among others, Germany’s youngest two-star chef Luis Hendricks (“Pietsch”, Wernigerode), Berlin-based chef Maya Schmeer (“Otto”), sommelière Clara Hippert (“arc”, Hamburg) and host Lea Zentgraf (“Coda”, Berlin). In total, Der Feinschmecker profiles 30 young personalities who are set to leave a lasting mark on the German gastronomy scene.

In the accompanying round table, young gastronomy professionals such as Clara Hunger, Martin Weghofer, Katrin Berboth, Katharina Motzek and Bastian Bomhoff discuss openly the challenges facing an industry in transition: new leadership styles, fair working conditions and the question of how fine dining can reach more people again in the future. “Fine dining must become more accessible – not just in terms of price, but also in attitude,” says chef Clara Hunger, who is one of the most exciting voices in young German gastronomy. “If fine dining is to become more accessible, we need to take away the feeling among young people that they might be doing something wrong.” The “Next Generation” special showcases not only exceptional talent, but also a fundamental cultural shift in top-tier gastronomy: away from rigid hierarchies, towards greater appreciation, team spirit and openness. Or as restaurateur Bastian Bomhoff puts it in the interview: “Appreciation. Not applause, not grand gestures – but recognition that hard work is noticed.”

The “Top 30 under 30” 2026:

Chefs: Oliver Laubinger (“Bodendorf’s”, Sylt), Constantin Krauß (“The Table”, Hamburg), Madlaina Bröhm (“Remi”, Berlin), Maya Schmeer (“Otto”, Berlin), Luis Hendricks (“Pietsch”, Wernigerode), Martin Weghofer (“Main Tower Restaurant & Lounge”, Frankfurt), Nico Pupp (“Schwitzer’s Gourmet-Restaurant”, Waldbronn), Katharina Neumann (“Schlossberg”, Baiersbronn), Philipp Naase (“Elsa”, Munich) and Louis Gaida (“Ophelia”, Konstanz).

Sommeliers: Niklas Ertl (Genuss-Shop Johannes King, Sylt), Clara Hippert (“arc”, Hamburg), Katrin Berboth (“Cœur d’Artichaut”, Münster), Henry Aidan Steilberg (“Bar Freundschaft”, Berlin), Julian Grampp (“Neobiota”, Cologne), Paul Biermann (“Steinheuers Restaurant”, Bad Neuenahr-Heppingen), Peter Reutlinger (“Schwarzer Adler”, Oberbergen), Anna Ueter (“Gasthaus zur Linde”, Stuttgart), Noris Conrad (“Tantris”, Munich) and Luigi Pecchia (“The Cloud”, Munich).

Hosts: Nils Müller (“Söl’ring Hof”, Sylt), Lea Zentgraf (“Coda”, Berlin), Rosa Dilasco (“Rutz”, Berlin), Cécile Jäger (“Restaurant Tim Raue”, Berlin), Lea Rupp (“the dune”, Frankfurt), Thomas Blessing (“Victor’s Fine Dining by Christian Bau”, Perl-Nennig), Malte Stüber (“Erbprinz”, Ettlingen), Anna Raddatz (“Aura by Alexander Herrmann & Tobias Bätz”, Wirsberg), Alyssa Klee (“Ursprung”, Königsbronn) and Alexander Will (“Tohru”, Munich).

Furthermore, the “Next Generation” special highlights new dining concepts from Hamburg to Freiburg, innovative training models for the next generation, and the question of how fine dining must change in future to remain accessible to more people. Der Feinschmecker is also once again calling on its readers to vote for the “Rising Star of the Year 2026”.

The complete “Next Generation” special appears in the current issue of Der Feinschmecker (7/2026).