Sixteen candidates compete in the "Chef of the Year" competition

FREIBURG IM BREISGAU  The participants for this year's edition of the renowned live Chef of the Year competition have been announced. Sixteen candidates were selected from 400 applications in the written preliminary round. They will compete in the semi-finals of the competition on 5 May at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The competition will be accompanied by a high-calibre jury, including luminaries such as Jan Hartwig, Tohru Nakamura, Mike Süsser, Heiko Antoniewicz, Rosina Ostler and many more. Only six of the candidates will qualify for the final.

"Whether star chef or company caterer - there is no comparable competition that offers chefs a stage at this level and in such a demanding contest. Anyone who makes it into the competition will undoubtedly make a name for themselves in the industry!" emphasise Managing Directors Nuria Roig and Christian Kamm.

These are the candidates for Chef of the Year 2024: 

• Denis Brühl, Head Chef, H. Bodendorf*, Hotel Landhaus Stricker, Tinnum/Sylt - Assistant: Philipp Zeidan, Sous Chef, Lufthansa Seeheim GmbH, Seeheim-Jugenheim
• Daniele Di Sario, Head Chef and Owner, Il Teatro, Karlsruhe - Assistant: Carsten Münch, Head Chef, Freshfood Catering and Event, Durmersheim
• Vladimir Dykusar, Chef, Mook Group, Frankfurt - Assistant: Kateryna Boniakevych, Chef, Hotel-Restaurant Rhönblick, Petersberg (Fulda district)
• Christoph Ehler, Sous Chef, Leonardo Royal Hotel, Nuremberg - Assistant: Entihal Khatib, Chef de Partie, Leonardo Royal Hotel, Nuremberg
• Marcel Fege, Chef Patissier, Bogenhauser Hof, Munich - Assistant: Elisabeth von der Osten, Commis de Cuisine, Bogenhauser Hof, Munich
• Alexander Högner, Head Chef, Herzog, Munich - Assistant: Sonja Denninger, Sous Chef, Herzog, Munich
• Christopher Knippschild, Owner & Chef, The Dining Room, Cham (Switzerland) - Maximilian Lehmann, Head Chef, Restaurant Friedrich's, Constance
• Florian Kornexl, Head Chef, Gasthaus Kornexl, Untergriesbach (Bavaria) - Assistant: Marcel von Winckelmann, head chef, Restaurant Marcel von Winckelmann, Passau
• Hans Lange Rodriguez, head chef, Teko by Lange Rodriguez, Essen - Assistant: Maria Sinchico, chef, Teko by Lange Rodriguez, Essen
• Ivan Lazarenko, head chef, Hallo Emil, Stuttgart - Assistant: Patrick Ködel, deputy head chef, Hallo Emil, Stuttgart
• Ivan Lazarenko, head chef, Hallo Emil, Stuttgart - Assistant: Patrick Ködel, deputy head chef, Hallo Emil, Stuttgart. Chef, Hallo Emil, Stuttgart
• Christian Loos, Sous Chef, Landhotel Weißes Ross, Illschwang (Bavaria) - Assistant: Alexander Baierl, Sous Chef, Meier Hilzhof, Pilsach (Oberpfalz)
• Simon  Scheuerlein, Chef, Bayerischer Hof, Spalt (Bavaria) - Assistant: Lucia Ronellenfitsch, Chef de Partie, Bayerischer Hof, Spalt (Bavaria)
• Philipp Schmidt, Sous Chef, The Japanese Restaurant**, Andermatt (Switzerland) - Assistant: Georg Raab, Sommelier, pankratz, Mainz
• Daniel  Wallenstein, Sous Chef, Alois-Dallmayr Fine Dining**, Munich - Assistant: Jonas Wiedemann, Chef de Partie, Alois-Dallmayr Fine Dining**, Munich
• Jaspar  Wcislo, Sous Chef Restaurant Agata's*, Düsseldorf - Assistant: Marcel Förster, Head Chef, Agata's*, Düsseldorf
• Philipp Zumkeller, Head Chef and Owner, FIDAN Chef & Gastro e.U., Baden-Baden - Matias Acuña, Head Chef, Flexi Cuisine, Baden-Baden

35 stars and toques on the jury 

This year, the competition format is breaking new records: there have never been more than 35 Michelin stars and Gault Millau toques in one competition jury before.  The competition at the Allianz Arena in Munich will be judged by some of the best-known names in the culinary scene, including three-star legend Dieter Müller, star chef Heiko Antoniewicz (Antoniewicz GmbH, Werne), Tobias Bätz (Aura by Alexander Herrmann & Tobias Bätz**, Wirsberg), Alina Meissner-Bebrout (Bi:Braud*, Ulm), Tristan Brandt (top chef and international patron of culinary projects), Nico Burkhardt(Gourmetrestaurant Nico Burkhardt*, Schorndorf, Marco Gatterer (Berggericht, Kitzbühel (AT),  Matthias Gfrörer (Gutsküche, Tangstedt), Peter Girtler (Gourmetstube Einhorn**, Mules, (IT)), Jan Hartwig (JAN***, Munich), Tony Hohlfeld (Jante**, Hanover), Denis Jahn (Laesâ,Stuttgart), Andreas Krolik (LaFleur**, Frankfurt), Stefan Lenz(Falstaff Casino Restaurant, Bregenz (AT)),  Miguel Marques (Chef of the Year 2023), Lucki Maurer (top chef and meat expert), Tohru Nakamura (Tohru in der Schreiberei**, Munich), Yannick Noack (Purs**, Andernach), Rosina Ostler (Alois - Dallmayr Fine Dining**, Munich), Christian Sturm-Willms (Yunico*, Bonn) and Mike Süsser (TV chef).

These challenges await the candidates

On 5 May, the contestants will have five hours to prepare and present their menu to the top-class jury in the live competition in the Allianz Arena. A convincing performance not only secures entry into the final, but also the chance to win the title as well as €5,000 in prize money and other special prizes, such as the sustainability prize from HOBART, which is awarded in the form of a high-quality professional dishwasher.

Only the top four in the competition can go through to the final. Two further candidates can qualify for the final through the Kitchen Party Challenge on the evening before the competition.

Programme highlights

The event will take place in the VIP area of the Allianz Arena. The host on site is the world's leading catering provider DO & CO.  In addition to the renowned "Chef of the Year" competition, there are two other highlights on the programme of this culinary event: Three teams consisting of chef and sommelier will compete in the German preliminary round of the international "Copa Jerez" competition. Their goal: the perfect pairing of menus with sherry wines. The innovative gastronomic symposium "Spain Fusion", organised by the creators of the world-famous "Madrid Fusion", invites trade visitors to an immersive learning and exhibitor platform. Here, visitors have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Spanish cuisine, get to know local producers and be inspired by experts and top Spanish chefs in exciting workshops and masterclasses.

Tickets for the semi-final are available at www.kochdesjahres.de/tickets (ticket price including food and drinks on site €129)

Unique opportunity to be a judge at the most prestigious gastronomy competition: An exclusive kitchen party will take place in the Allianz Arena on the evening before the competition - 4 May 2024. As protagonists, the competition candidates will inspire with culinary highlights. The guests will take on the role of the jury and use their votes to send two talented chefs directly to the final. A unique opportunity that will make the hearts of gourmets beat faster. Tickets for the kitchen party are available at www.kochdesjahres.de/tickets (ticket price €169)