EUROPAs Beste: 15 Michelin Stars Aboard Europa
Tillman Fischer, Chef of MS Europa, welcomed on board ten Michelin-starred chefs with a total of 15 Michelin stars and four Gault Millau toques, along with ten winemakers and eight taste specialists, delighting all guests with a culinary event that marked the start of an exclusive cruise featuring singer Tom Gaebel and comedian and actor Oliver Kalkofe.
Once again, the pool deck of the small luxury ship Europa was transformed into a gourmet stage where selected chefs, renowned winemakers, a pastry chef, and a cheese affineur, along with other prominent figures from six countries, presented their culinary masterpieces, delighting all guests on board during the four-day mini cruise from August 3 to 6, to the Swedish island of Ven, followed by a day in vibrant Copenhagen, before concluding the journey in Kiel. The evening was opened by Gabi Haupt, Senior Advisor Luxury Cruises, and multi-gastronomer Karlheinz Hauser, while onboard entertainment was provided by singer Tom Gaebel, who combines big band sounds with the lightness of easy listening, and actor and comedian Oliver Kalkofe with an exclusive reading from his book, to be published in November.
MS Europa
Gabi Haupt and Isolde Susset
EUROPAs Beste Event on board MS Europa (2)
Isolde Susset, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, highlighted how Europa has always represented culinary excellence and embodies hospitality and the highest service culture, adding that the ‘EUROPAs Beste’ event, now known beyond national borders, underscores these values.
Among the European masters were Viki Geunes from Antwerp, owner of the restaurant Zilte, one of only two Belgian restaurants with three Michelin stars; the RAU nature-based Austrian cuisine, featuring glazed veal brains with wild thyme; chef Klemens Schraml, awarded four Gault Millau toques, who loves to use seasonal natural products; Theodor Falser of the Johannesstube restaurant, with one Michelin star, cooking according to the “Taste Nature” concept, and Peter Hagen-Wiest of The Lighthouse Restaurant, which holds two Michelin stars and has maintained this recognition for the 10th consecutive year. Also featured was Ricky Saward from Seven Swans in Frankfurt, the first Michelin-starred vegan chef in Europe.
Additionally, some of Hamburg’s best chefs gathered for this legendary annual meeting, including two-star chef Thomas Imbusch of 100/200 Kitchen, Julian Stowasser of LAKESIDE at The Fontenay Hotel, also with two Michelin stars, and three-star chef Kevin Fehling. Since 2019, Fehling has been present with his second restaurant, The Globe, aboard the Europa, and for the event, he prepared a Hamachi with green aromas and caviar. Stefan Fäth of Jellyfish also has a special relationship with the small luxury ship; before earning his Michelin star, he honed his expertise during his time on the Europa. The promising young talent Lindis Brodhag, who won the Dehoga Nordrhein Young Stars Award and the Koch-Azubi-Contest of the German Luxury Hotel Collection, a partner of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, joined Tillman Fischer.
Tillman Fischer and Lindis Brodhag
Ms Euroap Pool
Viki Geunes and Kevin Fehling
Among the ten winemakers present with their delights to accompany the evening were Jesse Bongiovi, son of rock star Jon Bon Jovi, with his Hampton Water Rosé, a cuvée of four grape varieties from the South of France; Gesine Roll from Weingut Weedenborn in Rheinhessen with her precise and “very drinkable” wines; and Armin Tement, who came from his vineyard in Styria with his best bottles.
Speaking of desserts, the finest treats were offered by Roshlee Cardoso, Pastry Chef of the Year 2023 from the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg, with her toasted buckwheat cream, while Niko Robert, former pastry chef at the Ritz-Carlton in Potsdamer Platz, amazed ice cream lovers with his Hokey Pokey creations. On the topic of spirits, the spotlight was on the Italian Nonino family, who have been dedicated to the art of distillation for over 125 years. Elisabetta Nonino brought her Grappa to Hamburg, allowing guests to savor the pride of the family business, which she runs with her two sisters.
Elisabetta Nonino
Food & Beverage Options (1)
Food & Beverage Options
An event cruise focused on Food & Beverage that engages all enthusiasts in the sector, making the small Europa the star of an iconic event. Additionally, during select cruises throughout the year, three-star chef Kevin Fehling will be personally on board the Europa, welcoming guests to his restaurant, The Globe.
Don’t miss news, updates, and reviews of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on Cruising Journal with photos, videos, and cruise deals.
