Fire free

Going the extra mile with fire and coal
Alexandra Gorsche © Conny Leitgeb Photography
5. December 2022 | 
Alexandra Gorsche
5. December 2022
|
Alexandra Gorsche

Roasted and smoky flavors bring momentum to the menus of upscale gastronomy. Oysters, scallops and langoustines end up on the grill – but it’s not just premium products and cuts that are becoming delicacies, but also cuts such as flat iron (shoulder centerpiece) and brisket (boneless beef brisket). One trend is whole grill menus, which are no longer only on the menu in summer, but also in winter.

It should be vegetables

Vegetables on the grill, spices and other ways of preparing products are strong themes. Smoking vegetables and then processing them into purees, spreads, spice or dip sauces is in. It is also exciting to serve smoked vegetables as gazpacho - the possibilities are endless. The basic requirements are high-quality basic products, know-how and an understanding of indirect and direct grilling and how to deal with the core temperature (resting phase). Tip: Especially for the winter months, spices such as cinnamon, cloves, juniper berries, star anise and allspice are recommended to enhance the winter flavors of curing solutions, sauces and rubs.

Show cooking

The professionals agree. The show effect must remain, at least in part. Guests identify with the process of grilling, which is why the live act creates special emotional moments.

Ready for the winter

To delight guests even in the colder seasons, a perfect base should be guaranteed, as well as the right cast-iron barbecue utensils. Hot sauces and stews or even waffles. Without cast iron, the outdoor fun won't last long. For fire baskets and that campfire feeling, a Kindling Cracking is ideal. With this fixed upside-down log splitter, you can determine exactly where the wood is split. Experience gastronomy through and through with a table grill, where guests can also lend a hand. Tip: Big Green Egg.

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!

Lost, forgotten, loved: Pugnitello

Unknown grape varieties worth discovering

Pugnitello – an almost forgotten grape variety from Tuscany is making a comeback. A small organic winery in Maremma is helping this distinctive red wine gain new attention.

Parsley is Austria's queen of the kitchen

And chili is the rising star on the spice rack

On World Spice Day on October 24, the new Kotányi Spice Report 2025 reveals what Austria’s amateur chefs really swear by: parsley remains the country’s undisputed favorite herb, closely followed by chives. At the same time, turmeric, chili, and curry blends are conquering kitchens—making it clear that in 2025, seasoning is more than just routine: it is an expression of creativity, sustainability, and the joy of indulgence.

Light. Fresh. Serious.

Why “light wines” really make sense

Light wines are not just a summer fad. They are a response to mindful drinking, all-day dining, office lunches, after-work and fine casual concepts – especially from September onwards, when kitchens switch to forest, mushrooms, pumpkin and roots and guests want to enjoy their food more consciously.

Genusspunkt shows how “light” works without losing depth, which service rules ensure sales – and how three specific wines can immediately create curated experiences on the wine list.

quick & dirty
Grillen & BBQ zeigen sich als martialische Art der Zubereitung, schließen allerdings Fine-Dining nicht aus. Foto beigestellt
Fire free

Roasted and smoky flavors bring momentum to the menus of upscale gastronomy. Oysters, scallops and langoustines end up on the grill – but it’s not just premium products and cuts that are becoming delicacies, but also cuts such as flat iron (shoulder centerpiece) and brisket (boneless beef brisket). One trend is whole grill menus, which are no longer only on the menu in summer, but also in winter.