Highest culinary delights

Burgenland in the bright glow of Michelin stars

Alain Weissgerber, in the white jacket, next to Taubenkobel partner Barbara Eselböck, and Werner Tschiedel from Ziegelwerk-Gasthaus in Wimpassing (left) as the lucky winners.(Bild: Karl Grammer)

Mhhhh, an evening of fine taste! For the first time since 2009, the internationally renowned Michelin Guide once again presented the best restaurants in Austria. Among the winners from Burgenland were Alain Weissgerber and Max Stiegl.

The atmosphere was tense on Tuesday evening at Hangar7 in Salzburg. Many master chefs from all over Austria had been invited, but no one knew who could boast one or more Michelin stars. In a festive ceremony, the organizer revealed the closely guarded secrets. Applause broke out when the winners were announced.

Barbara Eselböck was delighted to receive the Service Award.(Bild: Karl Grammer)

From Eselböck to Stiegl
In the spotlight from Burgenland were Barbara Eselböck (Service Award) and Alain "Zwei Sterne" Weissgerber from Taubenkobel in Schützen am Gebirge, Hannes Tschida from Gasthaus Zum fröhlichen Arbeiter in Apetlon, Thomas Daniel Pugel from Restaurant Fossil in Purbach, Oliver Wiegand from Blaue Gans in Weiden am See, Philipp Kroboth from Am Mahrbach in Königsdorf and Werner Tschiedel from Ziegelwerk-Gasthaus in Wimpassing an der Leitha. Max Stiegl from Gut Purbach was also among the top league restaurants. Delicious comment from the head chef of a small country inn: "Great joy, we have brought the star home again."

About the guide

The Michelin Guide rates restaurants according to five globally standardized criteria: quality, the chefs' craftsmanship, the originality of the dishes and the consistency of performance - both in the long term and with regard to the entire menu. The assessments are carried out by full-time, anonymous inspectors who conduct their tests according to clearly defined and objective standards. In future, assessments will be carried out once a year in Austria.

Wine Burgenland chairman Herbert Oschep, wine tourism managing director Christian Zechmeister, winegrowing president Andreas Liegenfeld and the marketing manager of Burgenland Tourism, Kurt Kaiser, were delighted with the glamorous gala evening.

The awards are a milestone for Burgenland as a culinary destination. These successes fit in impressively with the strategy of our Genussland.

Geschäftsführer Didi Tunkel

First-class gourmet destination
In line with the results, the wine-loving trio Oschep, Zechmeister and Liegenfeld concluded: "This harmonious interplay of first-class cuisine and top regional wines makes Burgenland a first-class culinary destination."

Salzburg's Governor Wilfried Haslauer can only agree: "The high quality of the cuisine is crucial for the well-being of our guests."