Wohlfahrt celebrates 70 years – a look at the celebrity chef’s career!

Wohlfahrt celebrates 70 years – a look at the celebrity chef’s career!

A very special event for the gastronomy industry is fast approaching: On November 7th, Harald Wohlfahrt, who is considered one of the most influential chefs of the last few decades, will be 70 years old. The special occasion is not only a reason to celebrate, but also an opportunity to look back on his impressive career. For around 40 years, Wohlfahrt was head chef at the “Schwarzwaldstube” in Baiersbronn, a restaurant that he turned into a culinary institution over the years. During this time he achieved three Michelin stars for 25 years in a row, an achievement that is unparalleled in the international gastronomy scene. According to Radiomk he is considered one of the most influential chefs in top gastronomy, whose influence on numerous top chefs, including Christian Bau, should not be underestimated.

Harald Wohlfahrt is not only known for his cooking skills, but also for his numerous awards, such as the title of “Chef of the Year” in Gault & Millau. He was also named one of the ten best chefs in the world by the New York Times. His skills not only brought him fame, but also innovative projects, such as the development of space food for astronauts on behalf of ESA. His culinary journey began in childhood, where he realized early on that he wanted to be a chef, inspired by his grandparents' farming. After training at the “Mönchs Waldhotel” in Dobel and further positions in well-known restaurants, he started as a sous chef in the “Schwarzwaldstube” in 1978, which would soon become his life’s work, as Harald Wohlfahrt himself describes.

From star cuisine to new worlds of enjoyment

In 2017, his collaboration with the Hotel Traube Tonbach ended after a dispute that he described as instructive. Since then he has reset his priorities and no longer cooks for Michelin stars, but instead pursues new paths in the area of ​​enjoyment and good food. Wohlfahrt is actively involved in the Fischer Group’s company restaurant and advises the “Aida” restaurant in Baden-Baden. He also produces convenience food for a regional supermarket, without any flavor enhancers, which is attracting great interest from more and more people.

His own product line with his likeness is already very popular, and Wohlfahrt proudly shows that good food is also possible beyond the star cuisine. He is not looking for new projects as he already has enough to do. Rather, he prefers to spend his time with his four grandchildren and finds balance during his stays on the Costa Blanca.

A quiet 70th birthday

However, he is not planning a big celebration for his 70th birthday and wants to avoid the stress. Instead, after the festival he is drawn to far away places: he is planning a big trip for the year after next, which will certainly give him new inspiration. Wohlfahrt is known for his love of caramelized root vegetables and often cooks vegetarian dishes - further evidence that his culinary style has evolved over the years.

Whether in the star kitchen or in everyday life – Harald Wohlfahrt remains a face of gastronomy that is anchored in the hearts of many people. He shows that the love of food is not just about stars, but about the joy you find in cooking and enjoying it.