Berlin, February 17, 2026 – While women remain a minority in Germany’s top gastronomy, with only four percent of Michelin-starred chefs being female nationwide, Berlin is showcasing a remarkable structural development. According to the latest Chef:in Watch List 2026, 21 out of 72 listed female gastronomy experts across Germany work in Berlin, representing approximately one in three entries.
Berlin’s Gastronomy: Diverse and Female-Led
Sabine Wendt, CEO of visitBerlin, highlighted the city’s unique culinary landscape: “Berlin’s gastronomy is diverse and has long been dominated by women. The German capital is setting standards in the international food scene and helping to ensure that Berlin remains attractive to visitors from all over the world.”
The curated list on the platform for top female chefs spans five categories: chefs, hosts, sommeliers, bartenders, and international chefs, thereby spotlighting female expertise across the restaurant industry.
Leading Female Chefs in Berlin
Of the 27 female chefs listed nationwide, ten are from Berlin. Notable examples include Julia Leitner, who cooks at Berlin’s two-Michelin-starred CODA, and Sarah Hallmann from the one-Michelin-starred restaurant hallmann & klee. These chefs exemplify Berlin’s ascendancy in female culinary styles within top-class gastronomy.
The Berlin representatives on the list are not only shaping Michelin-starred restaurants but also pioneering innovative concepts that blend fine dining, casual dining, and sustainability. Their contributions are significantly changing the image of German haute cuisine.
Berlin’s Female Culinary Experts on the Chef:in Watch List 2026:
Berlin Female Chefs:
- Ash Lee (Chungking, Berlin)
- Cäcilia Baldszus (Bar Basta, Berlin)
- Hannah Cooper Borchardt (Feed the Pony, Berlin)
- Julia Anna Leitner (Coda, Berlin)
- Sarah Hallmann (Hallmann & Klee, Berlin)
- Shani Ahiel (Yafo, Berlin)
- Shani Leiderman (Beba will Feed You, Berlin)
- Sophia Hoffmann (Happa, Berlin)
- Sophia Rudolph (Lovis, Berlin)
- Sophie & Xenia Oswald (Rocket & Basil, Berlin)
Best Hostesses in Berlin:
- Claudia Steinbauer (Luna D’Oro, Clärchens, Berlin)
- Ilona Scholl (Tulus Lotrek, Berlin)
- Katharina Bambach (Sphere Fernsehturm, Berlin)
- Kristiane Kegelmann (pars Restaurant, Berlin)
- Marie-Anne Wild (Restaurant Tim Raue, Berlin)
- Mical Rosenblat (Loumi, Berlin)
Best Sommelières in Berlin:
- Andrea Hochlenert (Freundschaft, Berlin)
- Nancy Grossmann (Grill Royal, Berlin)
Best Female Bartenders in Berlin:
- Aurora Almenar (Bar Clara, Berlin)
- Maria Gorbatschova (Green Door Bar, Berlin)
- Susan Choi (Mr. Susan, Berlin)
This comprehensive list underscores a long-standing trend in the city: Berlin provides an extraordinary array of culinary backgrounds, diverse career paths, and international perspectives. The city acts as a testing ground for contemporary gastronomy concepts and a place where women in leading culinary roles gain visibility and establish new benchmarks.
Culinary Tourism: A Key Driver for Berlin
This development holds significant relevance for Berlin’s tourism sector. According to visitBerlin’s guest study, dining at a restaurant is one of the most popular activities for visitors to Berlin. Furthermore, culinary experiences are a primary reason for choosing Berlin as a travel destination.
Further information on Berlin’s gastronomic offerings, including the latest food spots and trends, can be found on visitBerlin’s dedicated pages.
Source: https://about.visitberlin.de/en/press/press-releases/berlin-hotspot-top-class-female-cuisine
