ahgz Star Awards 2026: JAN and Schwarzwaldstube at the top
When more than 275 star chefs gather at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, it’s more than just a gala event. It creates a powerhouse of culinary art – concentrated, condensed, highly professional. The ahgz Star Awards 2026, presented during the “Night of Stars,” impressively demonstrated how strongly top-class gastronomy is networked in German-speaking countries – and how willing it is to reflect on itself.
275 star chefs, an industry-driven ranking, and a B2B format with a signal effect for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and South Tyrol
At the top of the 2026 ranking are two establishments that symbolize different but equally uncompromising culinary styles: JAN in Munich, run by Jan Hartwig, and Schwarzwaldstube at Hotel Traube Tonbach in Baiersbronn, with chef Torsten Michel. Urban precision meets traditional haute cuisine – both united by artisanal excellence and international appeal.
Overall ranking by top restaurants
What makes this ranking special, however, is not just the placement, but the method behind it. The exclusive ranking was compiled by DK Verlag (Dorling Kindersley) in collaboration with ahgz – Allgemeine Hotel- und Gastronomie-Zeitung (General Hotel and Gastronomy Newspaper). It is based on the leading restaurant guides in German-speaking countries: Guide Michelin 2025, Gault&Millau 2025, Gusto 2026, DER FEINSCHMECKER, Die 500 besten Restaurants in Deutschland 2025, and the Falstaff Restaurant & Gasthaus Guide Deutschland 2026. The selection was adjusted accordingly for Austria, Switzerland, and South Tyrol.
But the weighting is crucial: 200 top chefs were surveyed on a country-specific basis to determine the relevance of the individual guides for top-class gastronomy. In this way, the industry itself defines which rating authorities are included in the overall ranking and to what extent. “The star chefs create the ranking themselves. They evaluate the relevance of the individual guides – we just evaluate the results,” explains Thomas Meyer, Head of Hotel and Gastronomy Media at dfv Mediengruppe. The result is a ranking on neutral ground – supported by those who compete in this field every day.
B2B character
Especially in times when awards can seem inflationary, this approach creates transparency. The B2B character of the award is a conscious choice. “We are an event for the industry, not for the end consumer,” emphasizes Meyer. The task of ahgz is to provide guidance within the hospitality world, to establish objectivity, and to bring together different guides. For hoteliers, investors, and gastronomic decision-makers, this means that the ranking provides a reliable assessment of the current situation because it brings together several evaluation worlds and is legitimized by industry insiders.
Class reunion of top-class gastronomy
The “Night of Stars” , which has been held as part of Intergastra since 2012 and is organized jointly by ahgz and the Burghotel Staufeneck, has long since developed into a transnational class reunion of top-class gastronomy. In 2026, more than 450 top chefs were in attendance, 275 of whom had at least one Michelin star – including numerous three-star greats. Over 1,000 guests from the worlds of gastronomy, hospitality, business, politics, and culture transformed the museum into a high-profile industry meeting place.
Expression of appreciation for the industry
The fact that such a high concentration of top chefs is actually present is no coincidence. “Through hard work – and through incredible partners,” says Meyer openly. The location at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, the culinary creations by the team at the Burghotel Staufeneck under the direction of Rolf Straubinger, eleven courses for more than 1,000 people – all of this is an expression of appreciation for the industry. It is precisely this appreciation that can be felt on this evening, when generations of chefs come together.
Networks are a central theme here. “The network extends beyond national borders – Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South Tyrol,” says Meyer. Many of the top chefs present learned in the same kitchens and worked with the same mentors. When it is emphasized on stage that many of the talented individuals in the room once worked in the brigade of a three-star chef, it becomes clear how strongly training, knowledge transfer, and mutual inspiration form the foundation of the industry. The “Night of Stars” thus acts as a focal point for a system based on excellence, exchange, and responsibility.
Driving force
The event provides several strategic insights for the industry. First: relevance is not created by a single star or award alone, but by consistent presence in multiple guides. Second: reputation is increasingly thought of in terms of networks – those who train, promote, and remain visible ensure long-term appeal. Thirdly, B2B media and specialist journalism play a decisive role in classifying and contextualizing top performance.
As the leading medium in the German hospitality industry, ahgz clearly positions itself as a source of inspiration. As part of the dfv media group, one of the largest independent B2B media companies in Europe, it stands for quality journalism, market orientation, and industry expertise. Formats such as the German Hotel Congress and the “Hotelier of the Year” award underscore this role – the ahgz Star Awards fit seamlessly into this strategy.
Our conclusion
At the end of the day, despite all the analysis, what remains is an emotional moment. “I have goosebumps all over my body,” says Thomas Meyer, describing his personal highlight of the evening. It is the responsibility of being able to organize such an event for the industry and the recognition for the many people working behind the scenes. This mixture of professionalism and passion makes the “Night of Stars” more than just an awards ceremony: it is a reflection of top German-speaking gastronomy – and a compass for its future.
© Salome Rössler / lensandlight
