Chefs

Eckart Witzigmann was born in Austria in 1941 and grew up in Bad Gastein. He trained in the best catering establishments in the world, and his outstanding talent was promoted by the best names in the business. Paul Bocuse, Paul Simon, Roger Vergé, the Troisgros brothers and particularly Paul Haeberlin have all acknowledged Witzigmann's exceptional talent and supported him in his unique career.

In addition to prolonged stays in France, Eckart Witzigmann amassed considerable international experience in the most prestigious restaurants in the world. These include the "Operakällaren" in Stockholm, the "Cafe Royal" in London, the "Villa Lorraine" in Brussels and the "Jockey Club" in Washington D.C. Witzigmann spent a total of 13 years abroad before coming to Germany in 1971 and initiating a culinary revolution at the "Tantris" restaurant in Munich. To this day, the public distinguishes between two periods: before Witzigmann and after Witzigmann. In 1978, Witzigmann opened his own restaurant, the legendary "Aubergine" in Munich, which went on to become a nucleus for exceptional German culinary creativity. In 1979, the "Aubergine" became the first restaurant in Germany – and Eckart Witzigmann one of only two chefs worldwide – to be awarded the much-coveted three stars from Michelin.  Artists, royalty and connoisseurs from all over the world were drawn there in great numbers to experience and savour Eckart Witzigmann's creative and culinary skills.

When the French restaurant guide "Gault Millau" awarded Eckart Witzigmann the title of "Cook of the Century" in 1994, he joined the rarefied ranks of the world's greatest living chefs. Indeed, the accolade has previously only been bestowed on three other people: Paul Bocuse, Joël Robuchon and Frédy Girardet. The greatest acknowledgement in the culinary world, it has not been awarded since 1994, and the fact that it has gone to a non-French chef bears witness to Eckart Witzigmann's considerable standing, not to mention the high esteem in which he is held.