DFD Festival 2026: Taste up! 2026 1. Kochduell: Brasserie Stadthaus × Grande Étoile

Taste up! 2026 – Cooking Showdowns Among Culinary Talents

As part of the DFD Festival 2026 on July 25, 2026, Düsseldorf’s Economic Development Agency will once again bring together young culinary talents and experienced restaurateurs with Taste up! Three exciting live cooking duels at Corneliusplatz will showcase the diversity, creativity, and passion of Düsseldorf’s culinary scene.

In each cooking duel, an established culinary team will compete against its apprentices. The teams will receive an identical basket of selected ingredients and use them to create a creative dish within the allotted time. Afterward, 50 portions of each creation will be served to the audience, who can sample the dishes right on the spot. For participants who follow a vegetarian diet, a suitable vegetarian alternative will be available at every cooking duel.

1st Cooking Challenge: Brasserie Stadthaus × Grande Étoile

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

To kick off Taste up! 2026, the teams from Brasserie Stadthaus and Grande Étoile will face off against each other. The ingredient basket for this cooking duel consists of cauliflower, beef shoulder, and apple. Using these ingredients, the teams must develop a creative and flavorful dish that reflects their culinary skills and individual style.

The combination of seasonal vegetables, high-quality meat, and fruity accents offers numerous possibilities for diverse interpretations. For participants who follow a vegetarian diet, a suitable alternative to beef shoulder will be provided.

The dishes will be judged by a five-member panel based on taste, creativity, presentation, and culinary execution. With “Taste up!”, Düsseldorf’s Economic Development Agency is raising the profile of culinary training programs and offering young talents a stage to showcase their skills to a wide audience alongside experienced culinary professionals.

Join us, enjoy the unique atmosphere, sample the freshly prepared dishes, and experience Düsseldorf’s culinary talents up close.

Special thanks go toMETROAG, which is partnering with Taste up! 2026, supporting the cooking challenges with products from its range, and committing to the development of the next generation of culinary professionals.