Lode van Zuylen of Remi named Berlin Master Chef 2026

Lode van Zuylen of the restaurant Remi, at Torstraße 48, has been named "Berliner Meisterkoch 2026", according to a Tagesspiegel report. The organiser, Partner für Berlin, presented the awards on Saturday at a gala in Tempelhof Airport. The jury praised Remi for combining demanding cooking with a relaxed style of hosting. It said van Zuylen does not have to define the restaurant as fine dining or as a social venue, and that it links Dutch-Flemish tradition with an open concept.

Other awards went to:

- Tanadon Santanaviboon, 31, of Hanuman Thai Curry House and Rram., "Aufsteiger des Jahres" (rising star). He is quoted as saying: "I want people to cry over my food."

- Isabell Wendel of Bricole, a Michelin-starred restaurant, "Berliner Gastgeberin".

- Saint Farah, run by Nadav Kundel and Gil Azrielan, "Berliner Szenerestaurant".

- Tresen-Treff in Wilmersdorf, a former corner pub taken over by Julia Bentzien, Laurens Friedl and Josha Karlborg, "Berliner Kiezmeister".

- The bar Rum Trader, run by Charlotte Fedtke and Sahand Zamani, the bar culture award.

- Anja and Carsten Schmidt, "Gastronomische Innovatoren", for their wine shops and the restaurant Rutz.

The prizes have been given out every year since 1997. The jury consists of food journalists and industry experts. It rates cooking skill, originality, presentation, service and atmosphere, among other criteria.