Outstanding culinary achievement

Berlin, 11 June 2025 – Fine Dining, Casual Dining, Street Food: Berlin’s gastronomy scene is known for its culinary diversity. So if you want to eat well and drink excellently in Berlin, you have plenty of choice. The nominations for the Berlin Master Chefs 2025 award reveal where a look at the menu is particularly worthwhile right now. The twelve-member jury, consisting of food journalists and connoisseurs, nominated this year’s candidates in a total of seven categories. These include: “Berlin Master Chef 2025”, “Rising Star of the Year 2025”, “Berlin Host 2025”, “Berlin Scene Restaurant 2025”, “Berlin Kiezmeister 2025”, “Berlin Bar Culture 2025”. The nominees in the seventh category, “Gastronomic Innovator,” will only be announced at the awards ceremony in November.

The jury selected five candidates in each category. Particularly interesting this year: According to jury chair Tina Hüttl, the nominees represent the balancing act between a low-threshold wine bar concept with masterful dishes for ten euros and a creation with caviar. According to Hüttl, the usual suspects from fine dining and star gastronomy were joined this year by new names that together represent the wild, diverse and youthful Berlin culinary scene.

Dr. Stefan Franzke, Managing Director of Partner für Berlin also confirms: “Diversity and vibrancy are part of Berlin’s culinary DNA – and this is exactly what the Berlin Master Chefs reveal year after year. This year’s nominations bring together bold newcomers and established names in Berlin’s gastronomy scene. They all represent innovation, passion and a unique standard of quality. As Partner für Berlin, we are delighted to honour these special personalities – because they shape Berlin’s reputation as a creative and enjoyable metropolis far beyond the city limits.”

In addition to Tina Hüttl from Berliner Zeitung, Dr. Stefan Elfenbein, correspondent for the magazine “Der Feinschmecker”, will be joining the jury. The expert duo will be joined by Prof. Dr. Dieter Grossklaus, Honorary President of the international gastronomic association Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Alexandra Laubrinus, Managing Director of Berlin Food Week, and Dr. Erwin Seitz, freelance journalist, author and food critic, as well as other connoisseurs.

The nominees selected from around 170 proposed candidates and catering businesses are:

Berlin Master Chef 2025:

• Nicholas Hahn, Cookies Cream
• Vadim Otto Ursus Henselder, Otto, Trio, Pluto
• Karl-Louis Kömmler, Loumi
• Jonas Merold, Merold
• Silvio Pfeufer, Restaurant Matthias

Rising Star of the Year 2025: 

• Tobias Beck, Luna D´Oro in Clärchens Ballhaus
• Jeff Claudio, Stoke
• Hannah Cooper Borchardt, Feed the Pony
• Antonio di Santo, Zum Heiligen Teufel – Cucina Italiana
• Marcus Kümmel, Bollenpiepe

Berlin Host 2025: 

• Jana Kämpfer (Host), Manon brasserie nouvelle
• Menglin Tang (Host), Peking Ente
• Anh Vu (Restaurant Manager) & Claudia Steinbauer (General Manager), Luna D’Oro & Clärchens Ballhaus
• Isabell Wendel (Host), Bricole
• Janine Woltaire (Host) & Michi Stiel (Sommelier), Restaurant Matthias

Berlin Scene Restaurant 2025:

• Bar Basta
• Luna D´Oro in Clärchens Ballhaus
• Manon brasserie nouvelle
• Pinci
• Sphere Tim Raue

Berlin Kiezmeister 2025:

• Adana Grillhaus, Kreuzberg 
• Diener Tattersall, Charlottenburg 
• Hokey Pokey, Prenzlauer Berg
• Johann Bäckerei, Schöneberg
• La Maison, Kreuzberg 

Berlin Bar Culture 2025:

• Dustin Franke (Mausi, Torte, Bar Nonno, Bademeister Bar and many more) 
• Fuchs & Hase
• Hildegard Bar  
• Pluto 
• Truffle Pig

It cannot be overlooked: this year’s shortlist is characterised by diversity of ideas, innovative concepts and the joy of change. The passion for culinary delights can therefore be felt on almost every corner in Berlin and, interestingly, in almost every district – at least when looking at the nominations for the Master Chefs 2025. This is because gourmet lovers can find these not only in Berlin’s trendy districts, but also on the outskirts. A strong sign of vitality and versatility – and a confirmation of what Berlin is: intercultural, courageous, full of ideas and contrasts.

The award has been presented by Partner für Berlin to people from the catering industry and their culinary concepts since 1997. Former award winners include Tim Raue and Sonja Frühsammer. Those who will also be able to call themselves a Berlin Master Chef in the future will be announced at a gala dinner in November 2025. Until then, interested parties will of course have the opportunity to experience the culinary skills of the nominees in person and savour delightful moments in a wide variety of locations throughout Berlin.