Cologne. Julia Komp is the new board member of the association Fine Food Days Cologne. The star chef (restaurant Sahila / Yu*lia Mezze Bar) was unanimously elected by the association members at the beginning of the week. The election became necessary because Michael Stern, founder of the gourmet festival, had died in May after a serious illness. The election has restored the full membership of the board, which also includes Jürgen Blank, hotel manager of the Excelsior Hotel Ernst, and Franz Gruber (Gruber’s Restaurant).

„We are very happy that we were able to recruit such a highly qualified and prominent chef for the club’s leadership,“ said Franz Gruber. „Julia Komp is also a media-savvy and internationally experienced gastronomic expert who will help us in many areas of our work,“ added Blank.

After the conclusion of this year’s festival, the board and the organizing team are planning the Fine Food Days Cologne event for 2027. The new festival date is also set: it will take place on

Sunday, August 29, 2027, opens and ends on Sunday, September 12, 2027,

with the grand finale.

When ticket sales for the events begin and when, for example, tickets for the highly sought-after opening event „Meet & Taste“ can be booked, will be communicated via the Fine Food Days Cologne newsletter.