On November 13 and 14, six finalists will compete for the title of " Cook of the Year 2023" at the Kameha Grand in Bonn, Germany. But who are the candidates, where do they come from, and how did they get into the industry? We introduce the exceptional talents!
Marcel von Winckelmann
Position: Head chef, Landgasthof zum Müller, Ruderting
Age: 29
Why did you become a cook?
I often stood behind grandma's and mom's stove and helped out where I could.
That opened my eyes. For me, there is nothing better than creating dishes from individual foods. Numerous internships confirmed my desire to become a cook.
Why will you winning the competition?
We will give everything, but others will have to decide whether that is enough.
How are you preparing for the final?
A quote from Gandhi comes to mind: "Focus on the solution, not the problem." That describes it quite well.
How are you handling the competition? Are the other finalists even competitors to you?
Friendships have been formed and we all have one goal every day and that is to create memories and make guests happy. That's what connects!
Everyone who is in the final wants to win, of course, and only the jury can determine who has the nose and the taste in front based on the day's performance.
Entihal Khatib
Position: Demi Chef de Partie, Leonardo Royal Hotel, Nuremberg
Age: 35
Why did you become a cook?
I love cooking and working with fresh ingredients like meat and vegetables. That is the reason why I chose this profession.
Why will you win the competition?
I feel that I presented something new in the competition, oriental flavors. I think that is what makes me stand out in the competition.
How are you preparing for the final?
First of all, I try to prepare myself psychologically for the final. In addition, I gather information about the previous year's competition in order to learn from the competitors of that time.
How do you deal with the competition? Are the other finalists even competitors for you?
I try to enjoy the competition as much as possible. It's an honor for me to meet all the great and culinary talented participants.
Marcel Förster
Position: Head chef, Agata's, Düsseldorf
Age: 30
Why did you become a cook?
Because cooking always fascinated me as a boy, and I cooked a lot with my grandmothers.
Why will you win the competition?
I can win the competition because I have a certain calmness in me that can help in the stressful phases. Besides, I only cook menus that I am convinced of.
How are you preparing for the final?
As soon as the shopping cart has been decided, I will come up with a menu that I will test cook. Here I will test whether the time management fits.
How do you deal with the competition? Are the other finalists even competitors for you?
Of course, they are competitors for me, but in the end I would like to see each participant win, because they are in the final for a reason.
Miguel Marques
Position: Sous Chef, Alois By Dallmayr, Munich
Age: 26
Why did you become a cook?
My grandfather and I used to cook the family dinner on Sundays. He taught me a lot; how to season, how to roast meat in a wood-fired oven, how to grow vegetables and give them as much flavor as possible, take care of the animals. He passed on his passion to me, so I wanted to continue and create my own legacy with everything he taught me. I will carry that with me throughout my life, and I always cook with the same love that he cooks for us.
Why will you win the competition?
I win because I worked for it, because my ambition leads to victory, because I try to give the best life to the product I hold in my hands, I try to give it all the flavor it deserves. Cooking must be a mixture of feelings in the mouth, it must have emotion, life, history, and that's what I always try to do in everything I do, to give the best experience to the people who taste what I make. The goal is that with every spoonful, you get a smile of happiness. That's what I win for, for the taste, for the creativity and for the passion.
How are you preparing for the finale?
I will prepare the same way I prepared for the semifinals. I will work on the challenge we are given and try to get all the flavor out of the products I have available.
How are you handling the competition? Are the other finalists even competitors for you?
All of us finalists have a good relationship. Everyone who is in the final deserves to win. That's why Koch des Jahres is a great competition to be a part of, because there's a family spirit.
Simon Bantle
Position: Sous Chef,
Epoca by Tristan Brandt, Waldhaus Flims Wellness Resort and Spa, Flims, (Swiss)
Age: 26
Why did you become a cook?
When I was twelve, I did an internship with Claus-Peter Lumpp. After that, it was clear to me that I would become a cook.
Why will you win the competition?
Because I have strong taste and technical skills, influenced by my origins, my home country, my teachers, and my ambition.
How do you prepare for the final?
Intensive time and sequence training are very important. In addition, all possible scenarios that can go wrong are played out.
How do you deal with the competition? Are the other finalists even competitors for you?
The competition is very strong, but we know what we're capable of, and we won't let anyone intimidate us. Our full concentration is on us, not on the competition.
Antonio Amer Baqué
Position: Sous Chef, Restaurant Facil, The Mandala Hotel, Berlin
Age: 28
Why did you become a cook?
There has always been cooking in our family. My grandparents had a small bistro. I also love food – so it was an obvious choice.
Why will you win the competition?
"Do it right or don't do it," I feel that so much that I even got it as a tattoo. If I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it right.
How are you preparing for the final?
The same way I did in the pre-final – it worked. But it remains a secret!
How do you deal with the competition? Are the other finalists even competitors for you?
And how! Everyone has their own style, different knowledge and ways of thinking. In the end, everything has to fit together, that's the art. The competition never sleeps.
Portrait of the candidates
Even more information about the finalists is available online at www.blgastro.de
Link to interviews in 24 Stunden Gastlichkeit, issue 05/2023
Link to 24 Stunden Gastlichkeit
Link to shop of 24 Stunden Gastlichkeit
Photos: Julian Redondo Bueno
