Network for Berlin’s food scene launched

BERLIN. Berlin is internationally regarded as one of the world’s most exciting food cities. The diversity of its food scene ranges from street food stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants and is a key economic driver for the city. At the same time, the sector is under pressure: rising costs and a shortage of skilled workers are compounded by a decline in tourist demand. Until now, there has been no structure linking the entire value chain and bringing together the catering industry, artisan food production and food culture. That is now changing: with the founding of the Berlin Food Network e.V. (BFN), an industry-wide network is being established for the first time that connects the entire value chain of Berlin’s food sector, in both German and English.

The BFN celebrated the official launch of the association on Monday evening, 17 August 2026, at the Michelberger Restaurant in Friedrichshain. Around 100 guests from the catering, artisan food, retail and start-up sectors came together to learn more about the association’s launch and its objectives, whilst also networking with colleagues from the industry. The BFN’s aim is to strengthen the national and international visibility of Berlin’s food sector and to create the basis for targeted support through a shared database. The BFN is politically neutral and committed to the values of democracy, diversity and human rights.

“For the first time, the entire spectrum of Berlin’s food scene is speaking with one voice. Visibility is created when we network and tell the story of our diversity together,” says Ben Pommer, Chair of the Board of Berlin Food Network e.V. To date, the 10-member board has been working entirely on a voluntary basis. However, support is being sought in the coming weeks to professionally establish operational structures. The set-up phase is currently funded exclusively through membership fees. However, a GRW network grant (Joint Task for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures) has also been approved by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs; the funding period is expected to begin in October 2026.

The BFN is politically neutral and committed to the values of democracy, diversity and human rights. The Executive Board comprises the following members: Ben Pommer (Managing Director of BRLO Berlin and Chair of the Executive Board), Miranda Zahedieh (Founder of BITE Club Berlin and Deputy Chair), Michael Hetzinger (Co-Managing Director of Berlin Food Week and Chief Financial Officer), Lia Carlucci (Managing Director of Food Campus Berlin), Eva-Maria Hilker (Editor of EssPress), Melanie Hübel (Head of Marketing at Sawade), Alexandra Laubrinus (Co-Managing Director of Berlin Food Week), Tom Michelberger (Owner of Michelberger Hotel, Restaurant & Farm), Regine Schneider (Owner of PR agency Die Schneiderei) and Anja Schmidt (Owner of Weinläden Schmidt, Rutz restaurants and others).
Restaurateurs, artisan producers, retailers, producers and start-ups from Berlin’s food sector can now join the association. Further information is available at www.berlinfoodnetwork.de .