Welcome to Genusspunkt.
Genusspunkt is the meeting place for visionary minds – a platform that redefines enjoyment, tracks trends and paves the way for a sustainable future for the industry.
Courage, precision, and personality: these talents are cooking up the future
With impressive creativity and technical precision, the tasty final of the Taste of Tomorrow 2025 competition for young talent took place on October 6 at the Klessheim Tourism School: From an impressive 86 entries to the competition, eight talented chefs from Austria and Germany made it through the preliminary round and then presented their vision of modern, sustainable, and enjoyable cuisine to a high-caliber culinary jury.
New competition, strong talents – the finalists have been chosen
For the kitchens. For the future. For the industry. Taste of Tomorrow is the new competition for young talent that will bring young culinary talents from several countries to the big stage in 2025. After a multi-stage selection process, the eight finalists have been chosen.
Premium chocolate and cheese
Cheese and chocolate have more in common than you might think. A symbiosis that opens up new worlds of flavor for guests.
Find your favorites:
“It mustn't get boring”
Jules Winnfield, Berlin
Jules Winnfield runs a vegetarian cocktail bistro in Berlin, which has been awarded a Michelin star since 2023, two cooking class and event spaces, and a focacceria. The growing universe surrounding his “Bonvivant” is based on sustainability and teamwork – and shows that gourmet gastronomy can also be done differently. A portrait.
Tiny cocktails, big stories
From micro martinis to butterfly pea lattes – the bar world is being turned upside down. International bar culture is experiencing a trend that may seem small at first glance, but has great potential: mini drinks, signature serves, and no & low options that deliver less glass but more flavor. Combined with a growing focus on sustainability, storytelling, and sensory experiences, a new playing field is emerging for bartenders. Genusspunkt asked Marie Rausch and Sigrid Schot, two of the most exciting women in the bar scene, for their thoughts and also summarized the latest ideas from the World’s 50 Best Bars.
Book tip: Pasta al Pomodoro
It doesn’t take much to bring people together – sometimes all you need is tomatoes, pasta, and a pinch of history. In Pasta al Pomodoro, author Ilse Fischer focuses on a classic dish that is much more than just noodles with sauce: it is a symbol of community, memory, and flavor in its purest form.
The idea came about when Fischer tasted three-star chef Niko Romito’s signature dish, “Spaghetti e Pomodoro” – simple, clear, and yet stunningly deep. “Few ingredients, simple preparation, unique taste,” she recalls. And this experience became the starting point for a project that combines culinary art, emotion, and culture.
In 55 variations, she shows how differently and yet how closely connected this classic dish can be interpreted—from Italian nonnas to culinary greats such as Heinz Reitbauer, Andreas Caminada, Johann Lafer, Norbert Niederkofler, Rudi Obauer, and Tina Marcelli. Even artists and actors such as Philipp Hochmair and Walter Grüll contribute their personal versions.
INFO
Pasta al Pomodoro – 55 variations on the Italian classic
Author: Ilse Fischer
Photography: Ingolf Hatz
Foreword: Placido Domingo
Publisher: Christian Verlag GmbH
Length: 208 pages
ISBN: 978-3-95961-958-5
Price: €30.90 (D/A)
Guest chef at Ikarus: Álvaro Salazar
When Mediterranean lightness meets Andalusian temperament, the result is a menu that is more than just an arrangement of courses: it becomes a narrative about origins, freedom, and the longing for new perspectives. In December 2025, two-star chef Álvaro Salazar from VORO in Mallorca will take over as guest chef of the month at Restaurant Ikarus – and take Salzburg on a sensory journey between Andalusia and the Balearic Islands.
Book tip: Porto – The Cookbook
“Porto – The Cookbook” by Sylvie Da Silva brings the flavors of the Atlantic city to life in book form. The focus is not only on the food, but also on the culture behind it – from hearty home cooking to delicate monastery desserts.
The work captivates with its mixture of recipes and travel impressions. Each chapter takes readers on an enjoyable journey of discovery – including stories about ingredients, regions, and people. The balance between culinary depth and emotional closeness is particularly successful.
INFO
Porto – The Cookbook
Author: Sylvie Da Silva
Publisher: Südwest Verlag
192 pages, approx. 120 color photos
ISBN: 978-3-517-10389-1
Price: €24.00 (Germany) / €24.70 (Austria) / CHF 33.50
Experience Imola
Imola is much more than just a race track: the city combines top-class cuisine, cultural monuments, and traditional producers to create an experience that delights connoisseurs, Italy fans, and curious travelers alike. From 2-star gastronomy at Ristorante San Domenico to creative pizza experiences and slow food osterie to historic libraries, palazzi, and award-winning wineries: this guide shows you the best places for cuisine, culture, and shopping—authentic, high-quality, and with real added value for your next visit to Imola.
Horváth Pop-up Vienna 2026
The two-star Berlin restaurant Horváth returns to Vienna in early 2026 with an exclusive pop-up, presenting an uncompromising new menu based on “emancipated vegetable cuisine.” For two weeks, Sebastian and Jeannine Frank’s team will take over the Herzig restaurant and serve a 7-course menu that shows how innovative, precise, and luxurious vegetables can be today. A culinary highlight for foodies, fine dining fans, and anyone who doesn’t want to miss Austria’s most exciting pop-up experience of 2026.
This time, Sebastian Frank is taking an even more uncompromising approach, with a new menu and a clear message: vegetables can be luxurious – even without caviar.
From inhalation bars to moon phase treatments and wine ceremonies: These six innovative wellness concepts show how far modern relaxation can go today – and what the industry should learn from them.
Elvis Parić bakes pizza that already enjoys cult status in Amstetten. He sells up to 100 pizzas a day from his food truck “Elvis Pizzazz” – but that’s just the beginning. Preparations for his own restaurant are underway and ideas for the sedentary concept are bubbling away. However, the mobile kitchen remains an integral part of the concept.
In the world of gastronomy, where flavors and aromas seduce our taste buds, there is an intangible element that enhances the dining experience – good vibes. The ambience, energy and positive atmosphere in a restaurant play a crucial role in creating memorable moments for diners. We take a look at the importance of good vibes in the restaurant industry and their contribution to a thriving culinary scene. We also shed light on the challenges facing the industry, including recent changes in the career choices of professionals in Austria.
Farm-to-table and hydroponic systems are two innovative concepts that enable sustainable agriculture and more environmentally friendly food production. In recent years, the demand for fresh, locally produced food has increased as consumers are increasingly concerned about healthy eating and are interested in the origin of their food. At the same time, agriculture is facing challenges such as climate change, water scarcity and soil pollution.
Since the restart of gastronomy, guests have returned, but there is a shortage of staff everywhere. This is also the case in the service sector: not a phenomenon of the post-lockdown period, but the shortage of skilled workers has become increasingly acute due to the far-reaching regulations that have been put in place to contain the coronavirus. The staffing gaps in many businesses are wide – even though there was less supply and more demand in July 2021; there were 20,356 unemployed people for every 8,489 vacancies in the Austrian hospitality industry. But people in the catering industry are still irreplaceable. Still? Companies around the world are working on advancing automation through high-tech robots in restaurant operations.
One of these is the Swiss marketing agency Precom Group AG, which specializes in digitalization in the catering sector. “Service robots could be an alternative to save restaurants from the worst,” says Managing Director Thomas Holenstein, explaining one way out of the staffing crisis. “Their acquisition costs are still high. But it’s worth it, because the artificial intelligence relieves their colleagues and works quickly and efficiently.” The advantages are obvious for Holenstein. They are already being used in the “Momoda” in Graz, for example.
From inhalation bars to moon phase treatments and wine ceremonies: These six innovative wellness concepts show how far modern relaxation can go today – and what the industry should learn from them.
Elvis Parić bakes pizza that already enjoys cult status in Amstetten. He sells up to 100 pizzas a day from his food truck “Elvis Pizzazz” – but that’s just the beginning. Preparations for his own restaurant are underway and ideas for the sedentary concept are bubbling away. However, the mobile kitchen remains an integral part of the concept.
In the world of gastronomy, where flavors and aromas seduce our taste buds, there is an intangible element that enhances the dining experience – good vibes. The ambience, energy and positive atmosphere in a restaurant play a crucial role in creating memorable moments for diners. We take a look at the importance of good vibes in the restaurant industry and their contribution to a thriving culinary scene. We also shed light on the challenges facing the industry, including recent changes in the career choices of professionals in Austria.
Farm-to-table and hydroponic systems are two innovative concepts that enable sustainable agriculture and more environmentally friendly food production. In recent years, the demand for fresh, locally produced food has increased as consumers are increasingly concerned about healthy eating and are interested in the origin of their food. At the same time, agriculture is facing challenges such as climate change, water scarcity and soil pollution.
Since the restart of gastronomy, guests have returned, but there is a shortage of staff everywhere. This is also the case in the service sector: not a phenomenon of the post-lockdown period, but the shortage of skilled workers has become increasingly acute due to the far-reaching regulations that have been put in place to contain the coronavirus. The staffing gaps in many businesses are wide – even though there was less supply and more demand in July 2021; there were 20,356 unemployed people for every 8,489 vacancies in the Austrian hospitality industry. But people in the catering industry are still irreplaceable. Still? Companies around the world are working on advancing automation through high-tech robots in restaurant operations.
One of these is the Swiss marketing agency Precom Group AG, which specializes in digitalization in the catering sector. “Service robots could be an alternative to save restaurants from the worst,” says Managing Director Thomas Holenstein, explaining one way out of the staffing crisis. “Their acquisition costs are still high. But it’s worth it, because the artificial intelligence relieves their colleagues and works quickly and efficiently.” The advantages are obvious for Holenstein. They are already being used in the “Momoda” in Graz, for example.
Gelato Next Level
Ice cream has long been more than just a summer snack—it’s a culinary universe of its own, where tradition, trends, and technology come together. Third-generation ice cream maker Paolo De Martin shows how classic gelato culture needs to reinvent itself, why vegan varieties and crazy combinations will set the tone in 2026, and why Gelatissimo Stuttgart is a must-attend event for anyone who wants to shape the future of ice cream.
“A new stage for the next 20 years
The reopening of Hangar-7 and Restaurant Ikarus marks the beginning of a new chapter for service manager Florian Kempinger and his team. In this interview, he explains why the redesign is a real quantum leap for the service operation, which technical innovations make everyday life easier, and why the reopening was “a celebration of historic proportions” for him.
The new definition of enjoyment
Christoph Graf, CEO of the VAUX sparkling wine house, and Clementine Perlitt, head of marketing, discuss challenges, opportunities, and prospects.
When Viennese coffee house culture meets digital convenience
Viennese coffee culture reimagined: A collaboration shows how artisanal quality and digital services complement each other—without losing the soul of Viennese coffee house culture.
“A table is like a stage”
The florist, author, and TV star on hospitality, design, and the magic of a set table.
Star cuisine without filters
He is one of Austria’s most renowned chefs. In an interview with Genusspunkt, Silvio Nickol talks about his idea of sustainability, the creative process behind his dishes, the special dynamic in his kitchen—and reveals why he can’t work without butter.
Energy-saving tips for hoteliers
Energy costs are a major challenge for hoteliers and restaurateurs. To counteract these costs, efficient energy management is of great importance. This blog post presents practical energy-saving tips for hoteliers that can help to reduce energy consumption and save costs. In particular, we will focus on the possibilities of heat recovery and the optimal placement of air conditioning units in the rooms. Here are some examples of how hoteliers can improve their energy efficiency.
Review portals: improving your online image
In the digital era, review portals have become important sources of information for potential guests. Unfortunately, bad reviews can damage the image of a hotel or restaurant. The question is: how can restaurateurs and hoteliers protect themselves against negative reviews and improve their online image? In this article, we give hoteliers and restaurateurs practical tips on how they can protect themselves against bad reviews and improve their online image.
5 tips for aspiring restaurateurs
Opening your own restaurant is a big dream for many people. However, it requires thorough planning and implementation in order to be successful in the industry. We reveal five tips for aspiring restaurateurs to pave the way for the successful opening of a restaurant business. From market analysis and location selection to customer loyalty.
Better acoustics in restaurants
It is not only the exquisite cuisine that plays a role in the design of a successful restaurant. It’s not for nothing that they say “you eat with your eyes”, as the ambience and presentation of the dishes influence the taste experience. However, it is less well known that the ear is also involved in the dining experience. Acoustics play a decisive role in how comfortable guests feel in a restaurant.
Experts have determined that the average noise level in restaurants is 80 dB. However, this noise level can be reduced by up to 10 dB through various measures. A reduction of 10 dB corresponds to a reduction in background noise of an impressive 50%.
Good vibes
In the world of gastronomy, where flavors and aromas seduce our taste buds, there is an intangible element that enhances the dining experience – good vibes. The ambience, energy and positive atmosphere in a restaurant play a crucial role in creating memorable moments for diners. We take a look at the importance of good vibes in the restaurant industry and their contribution to a thriving culinary scene. We also shed light on the challenges facing the industry, including recent changes in the career choices of professionals in Austria.
Beyond the Dining Experience
Innovative ways for restaurateurs to expand their revenue streams and captivate customers beyond the traditional dining experience. A range of strategies to attract new customers and increase profits.
Alexandra
Gorsche
Specialist in hotel & tourism
Favorite Recipes of the Month
With “my culinary world,” Alexandra Gorsche offers insights into her personal creations, intended to inspire in the kitchen.
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