Nine award winners receive CHEF:IN Awards

HAMBURG. For the first time in Germany, awards were presented exclusively to women in the restaurant industry. The inaugural CHEF:IN Awards, presented by OpenTable, a leading global provider of restaurant technology, took place on Monday evening at Foodlab Hamburg. Nine women were honored in seven categories – from the kitchen and pastry shop to the bar, wine, and service.

The title of Chef of the Year is shared by Sarah Hallmann (Hallmann & Klee, Berlin) and Julia A. Leitner (CODA, Berlin). The laudatory speech was given by CHEF:IN ambassador Cornelia Poletto. The Pastry Chef of the Year category also went to two women: Larissa Metz (Vendôme, Bergisch Gladbach) and Emma Betti (Tantris, Munich).

A 22-member expert jury, chaired by journalist Anja Wasserbäch, selected the winners. In the first round, the jury nominated a shortlist for each category; in the second round, they voted among the nominees. The evaluation considered not only technical excellence but also leadership, team culture, attitude, and entrepreneurial performance. Jury members were prohibited from voting on companies in which they had a financial stake and were not allowed to discuss their decisions amongst themselves. The category partners had no influence on the selection. In two categories, the prize was shared: the two winners in each category achieved the same score in the voting.

Of the 339 MICHELIN-starred restaurants in Germany, 15 are run by women. That's 4.4 percent: "Craftsmanship is the entry ticket for us, not the whole answer. Anyone who runs a kitchen where people stay, where training takes place, where there are fair work schedules, is doing something that isn't visible on any plate and yet is changing the industry more profoundly than any technology," says Denise Snieguolė Wachter, founder of CHEF:IN The 2026 Award Winners.

The program was hosted by presenter Muschda Sherzada. The laudatory speeches were given by Anja Wasserbäch, Katharina Wechsler, Rosina Ostler, Julia A. Leitner, Felicitas Then, Denise Snieguolė Wachter, and Cornelia Poletto. Sarah Hallmann and Ana Roš, who were unable to attend, sent their congratulations via video message.

Around 110 guests from the gastronomy, retail, and media sectors attended the awards ceremony and the subsequent dinner. The menu, created by Viki Lund, was designed for sharing: an edible table runner to start, four dishes placed in the center of the table, and plum cake with cinnamon roll ice cream to finish. Katharina Wechsler from Weingut Wechsler presented the evening's wines, while Jennifer Färber of Sans Péché provided the signature drink. The after-party took place at Air Bar 13 in the Westfield Überseequartier.

The CHEF:IN Awards 2026 were presented by OpenTable. Transgourmet Cook provided the venue at Foodlab Hamburg and presented the award for Chef of the Year. Pommery Champagne hosted the afternoon champagne tasting, as well as the aperitif and after-party at Air Bar 13, and presented the award for Hostess of the Year. Zwiesel Fortessa crafted the hand-blown trophies, provided glassware throughout the day at Foodlab and Air Bar 13, and presented the award for Sommelier of the Year. Rosenthal supplied tableware and vases and presented the award for Pastry Chef of the Year. AKI Altonaer Kaviar Import Haus ran the Raw Bar and supplied the caviar for Cornelia Poletto's canned ravioli. Maison Mirabeau presented the award for Entrepreneur of the Year. The flowers were provided by All The Flowers, and the petits fours by Sawade. The products and beverages for the menu were provided by Havelland Express, Sannmann Gärtnerei, Magnus Mineralbrunnen, and Joonys Sodas. Other partners of the CHEF:IN Awards 2026 include HarperCollins and Sundance Exclusive Artist Management.