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Daniel Wallenstein Wins Chef of the Year 2025 at Essen Live Final

The Dieter Müller–founded contest marked its 10th year before 1,200 guests under judgment from a panel representing 25 Michelin stars.

Overview

  • Julia Orschiedt, sous-chef at two-star Pietsch in Wernigerode, was named Patissiere of the Year for desserts featuring topinambur, banana, pak choi, pandan and passion fruit, plus a five-texture composition.
  • Wallenstein’s winning three-course menu featured sturgeon with truffle, caviar and hazelnut beurre blanc, braised American beef shoulder with a herb-and-mushroom “little forest,” and a pistachio, fennel and cardamom dessert.
  • The live cook-off took place in the Grand Hall at Zeche Zollverein in Essen before roughly 1,200 spectators.
  • Jurors praised the technical precision, harmony and power of flavors in Wallenstein’s dishes, highlighting sturgeon as an uncommon choice in German haute cuisine.
  • The panel included Dieter Müller with three-star chefs Christoph Rüffer, Marco Müller and Tim Bouhry, plus two-star chef Rosina Ostler as the sole woman on the jury.