expert spotlight

What happens when alpine tradition meets Italian lightness? Max Sampl, head chef at the Blaue Gans in Salzburg, combines regionality with innovation in his “Cucina Transalpina.” In this interview, discover how his childhood in the mountains, traditional preparation methods, and his journey through top kitchens have shaped his culinary art – and why sustainability is far more than just a trend for him.

Discover the story and vision behind Salzburg’s oldest inn: Andreas Gfrerer shares how he achieves a balance between tradition and modernity at the Blaue Gans, why sustainability and art are inseparably connected, and how a hotel becomes a place of community. An inspiring interview about leadership, transformation, and the power of vision.

That’s how Dominik Wachter, Michelin-starred chef and visionary, describes his deep connection to his hometown. In the picturesque setting of Prien am Chiemsee, he fulfilled his lifelong dream: In October 2022, he opened the Wachter Foodbar in the former cooking school of his mentor, Thomas Mühlberger. Since then, his restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star for two consecutive years. But what makes the Wachter Foodbar so special? It’s about more than just excellent dishes – it’s about kitchen psychology. We visited Dominik to discuss this fascinating concept.

Soenil Bahadoer, head chef of the two Michelin-starred Restaurant De Lindehof in Nuenen, elevates the cuisine of his Surinamese-Hindu roots with French finesse to an entirely new level. In our interview, he shares his journey, the magic of spices, and the importance of passion – for his guests, his team, and the next generation of chefs.

Didi Maier is not only a celebrated chef, but also a visionary who is redefining sustainability in gastronomy. In this interview, he talks about the importance of his fish farm, how he treats his employees and what he would do differently today if he were 20 again. Find out more about his exciting career, his green projects and why decarbonization is much more than just a buzzword for him. An inspiring look behind the scenes of a pioneer of the Austrian culinary scene.

Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn, celebrated as the creator of modern Thai cuisine, shares his inspiring journey from economics to becoming one of Asia’s most renowned chefs. With Le Du ranked as Asia’s Best Restaurant 2023, Chef Ton discusses his passion for Thai ingredients, the influence of his grandmother’s cooking, and how seasonality shapes his award-winning culinary creations.