DFD Festival 2026: Taste up! 2026 3. Kochduell: MIA Restobar × Agata's

Taste up! 2026 – Cooking Showdowns for 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, two established culinary teams will compete against one another alongside their 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.

3rd Cooking Challenge: MIA Restobar × Agata’s

4:30–6:00 p.m.

MIA Restobar and Agata’s will bring the three live cooking duels to a close. In this duel, the teams will work with a basket of ingredients consisting of kohlrabi, veal, and lemon. The challenge is to develop a creative dish using these ingredients and to impress the judges and the audience with a successful combination of flavor, technique, and presentation.

The fresh zest of the lemon, the seasonal vegetables, and the high-quality veal open up a wide range of creative possibilities. For those who prefer not to eat meat, a vegetarian alternative will also be offered in this cooking duel.

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 to METRO AG, 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.