Daniel Wallenstein, a head chef from Baden-Württemberg, has won the title of Chef of the Year 2025. He triumphed over six competitors in the final held in Essen. His restaurant Moya is set to open soon in the Ortenaukreis district.
Daniel Wallenstein, 32, is the head chef at the Moya restaurant in Baden-Württemberg. He won the prestigious Chef of the Year 2025 competition in the final round in Essen, as announced by the organizers. The contest is open to chefs from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and South Tyrol.
Wallenstein impressed the jury with a three-course menu prepared in five hours. The first course featured sturgeon with truffle, caviar, and hazelnut. The main dish was a braised shoulder of American beef. Dessert included pistachio, fennel, and cardamom.
On the significance of the win, Wallenstein said: "Because I simply love making people happy with food, bringing history to the plate, and transforming what nature gives us into a work of art." For him, the victory is not just an award but confirmation of his career path.
Wallenstein trained in Hamburg and previously worked at the Michelin-starred restaurant Überfahrt in Rottach-Egern and in Basel. The Moya restaurant is scheduled to open at the end of November in the Ortenaukreis district, where Wallenstein will realize his culinary visions.