The gala evening for the finale of the Fine Food Days Cologne 2024 once again offered a culinary fireworks display: The fifth Fine Food Days Cologne came to an end on Sunday, 8th September. Two weeks of superlative festival celebrations concluded with the gala at Cologne's Flora.
„The opening alone at the Carthusian Church grounds was attended by 450 guests. In total, more than 2,000 FineFoodies attended the approximately 35 events,“ summarised Michael Stern, Chairman of the Fine Food Days Cologne association and Managing Director of Eventcatering KölnSKY.
Bright sunshine, a fantastic view of the sea of flowers in front of Cologne's Flora, champagne and delicate finger food set the mood for a wonderful evening for the participants. Romana Echensperger, one of the ten German Masters of Wine, guided them through the entertaining event.
The gala at Cologne's Flora was a crowning finale – the chefs from the participating restaurants once again presented culinary excellence:
Amuse-bouche
Scallops | Chicory | Apple – Wolkenburg, Peter Golla
Gang
Summer Salad | Honey Tomato | Feta | Olive* – Sahila – The Restaurant, Julia Komp
2. Gang
Organic Cucumber from Theo Frings | Meadow Herbs | Land Prawn – Maximilian Lorenz
3. Gang
Wood-fired Caesar Salad* – HENNE.Weinbar, Hendrik Olfen
4. Gang
Label Rouge Salmon | Chickpea | Buttermilk | Chilli – taku, Mirko Gaul
5. Gang
Flank Steak from US Beef | Marinated Carrot | Chervil Root | Spring Onion Foam – Kirberg, Thomas Ottke
6. Gang
Plum & Sea Buckthorn | Hazelnut | Shortcrust Pastry | Muscovado* – Clostermanns Hof, Thomas Gilles
Petit Fours
Luis Dias – The Restaurant
Sönke Höltgen, Cologne
Highlights of the evening included the presentation of the Fine Food Days Cologne Awards, to Franz Wehrheim among others. „He has carefully further developed the top estate, which has been working biodynamically for years. He has set new accents with his sparkling wines, Pinot Noirs and Rieslings. We are always delighted by the qualities that he bottles year after year in the Southern Palatinate with great reliability and consistency.“ Guests at the gala were able to experience the quality for themselves. While Romana Echensperger and Franz Wehrheim were speaking on stage, a 2022 Mandelberg Weissburgunder GG from the Muschelkalk by Wehrheim was served. Franz Wehrheim could only enjoy the applause briefly, as he was already expected in the Palatinate for the upcoming harvest.
