Taste of Tomorrow 2025 – powered by Chefs Culinar
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.
The 2025 finalists
- Catharina Feuchtmayr, Gasthof zur Sonne, Jettingen-Scheppach
- Celine Lustig, Die ZWOA Weinviertla
- Erik Urbas, Vienna Hotel and Catering School on Judenplatz
- Florian Blankenhorn, currently completing basic military service (graduating from Tourism Schools Am Wilden Kaiser in 2025)
- Josef Leitner, Hotel Berghof – St. Johann in Salzburg
- Otis Klocker, Higher Education Institution for Tourism, Bad Gleichenberg
- Sebastian Brandl, Tourism School Klessheim
- Viola Weit, culinary apprenticeship as part of GASCHT training, Hotel Löwen, Schruns
All finalists impressed with their original signature dishes, precise craftsmanship, and a clear commitment to regionality and seasonality.
Opportunities & visibility
The winners will receive high-quality prizes, including premium spice boxes from Stayspiced!, Dick Santoku knives sponsored by Chefs Culinar. The winner will also receive participation in the CHEFS VALUE Hotel Concept Tour in Vienna, sponsored by Chefs Culinar, access to an excellent industry network, and stage time at renowned events—including the “Next Generation Cuisine” talk at Alles für den Gast 2025.
Jury & Patrons
The final will take place on October 6, 2025, at the Klessheim Tourism School in Salzburg. On board: a high-caliber jury and prominent patrons such as top chef Harald Irka and taste expert Vroni Lutz, who will accompany the next generation with their know-how and attitude. Other personalities on the jury include Andreas Senn, Mike Süsser, Didi Maier, Hubert Wallner, Dominik Süß, Stefan Lastin, Johannes Fuchs, Lukas Kienbauer, Christoph Parzer, Christina Steindl, Philipp Stohner, Florian Gstrein, Thomas Donleitner, and many more.
A competition with attitude – and impact
Taste of Tomorrow focuses on genuine individuality rather than showmanship, on further development rather than ego trips, and on a network that lasts. The competition is supported by committed partners such as Chefs Culinar, STAY SPICED!, Rational, 11er Kartoffelspezialitäten, Ecolab, and Barilla.
Why is Taste of Tomorrow important?
The competition makes an active contribution to promoting young talent in the catering industry – especially now, when the industry is looking for fresh ideas, committed talent and future-oriented craftsmanship. Young people not only have the opportunity to prove themselves professionally, but also to gain visibility – as part of a new generation of chefs who combine creativity, sustainability, and precision. Taste of Tomorrow is not just a competition, but also a stage, a network, and a career boost.
What the finalists have to do
Eight young talents have cleared the first hurdle, the application phase. Now it's time to prove their skills in the competition. The dish they have developed themselves will now be prepared for the jury on October 6, 2020, and tasted by the high-caliber jury. The dish must contain at least four ingredients from the specified shopping basket – including the mandatory 11er Rösti potatoes, finely grated, as well as either whole green fennel or sweet paprika from STAY SPICED! and one of the products from Chefs Culinar. Otherwise, it's all down to their own creativity. The dishes will be judged not only on their appearance, but also on their taste, technique, time management, and resource-efficient preparation. Who will win over the jury and claim the title of “Talent of Tomorrow”? We will find out on October 6, 2025, at TS Klessheim.
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