These Eight Talents Are Cooking the Future

Carina Andress, born in 2001, already brings experience from professional gastronomy. Through September 2026, she is working at Le Méridien Vienna; from mid-October, her path leads to TIAN Restaurant Wien. 

Hannah Berndl, born in 2009, has been attending HLF Krems with a focus on hotel management since 2023. She is thus among those finalists who are still in the middle of their training and yet already taking the step onto the competition stage. 

Hubertus Distl, also born in 2009, has been attending the Tourismusschule MODUL of the Vienna Economic Chamber since September 2023. He, too, shows how early the development of a personal culinary signature can begin. 

Julia Herndler, born in 2008, has been attending Tourismusschulen HLF Krems since 2022 and is currently in her fifth year. 

Theresa Postl, born in 2009, has already gained experience with Lukas Nagl—an early insight into different facets of sophisticated cuisine. She has been at TS Bad Hofgastein since 2023.

Christoph Unterberger, born in 2006, has been completing his culinary apprenticeship at HOCHKÖNIGIN – Mountain Resort since November 2025, bringing the perspective of traditional practical training to the finale. 

Tobias Wagner, born in 2002, has been working as Demi Chef de Cuisine at Hotel Sacher Salzburg since 2026. He is therefore among the finalists already taking on responsibility directly in the daily routine of a professional kitchen. 

Valentin Wagner, born in 2004, has been working as Commis de Cuisine at Panorama Royal in Bad Häring since May 2026. 

A competition of this magnitude does not work on good ideas alone. TASTE OF TOMORROW powered by CHEFS CULINAR also thrives on companies that provide products, technology, know-how, resources, and opportunities—and thus invest very tangibly in the next generation of culinary talent.

Special thanks therefore go to the premium partners CHEFS CULINAR, RATIONAL, 11er Kartoffelspezialitäten, ECOLAB, LOHBERGER, STAY SPICED!, and Barilla for Professionals. Together with the organizer, they create the professional framework within which young talents can showcase their skills, learn new things, and make connections for their future path. The shared goal: empowering young talent and bringing fresh momentum to the industry.

Special thanks also go to those basic partners and supporters whose work often happens behind the scenes and without whom a competition like TASTE OF TOMORROW powered by CHEFS CULINAR would not be possible in this form. DREIKANT designs and crafts the unique trophies with great attention to detail and huge personal commitment, creating a lasting symbol of the talents' achievements. KARLOWSKY provides the high-quality apparel for finalists and jury, while Tourismusschule Klessheim once again acts not only as the venue, but as a dedicated host, enabling the professional execution of the competition with infrastructure, know-how, and tremendous effort. As the partner hotel, the Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Centre Salzburg accompanies the format, Agentur COMMA and WESUAL support implementation with their respective expertise. And because promoting young talent also requires visibility, LifeLike PR manages all media and press relations to ensure that the stories, achievements, and personalities behind TASTE OF TOMORROW are recognized well beyond the day of the competition. After all, a stage for the next generation is never built alone; it is created by people and companies who are ready to build it together.

The grand finale of TASTE OF TOMORROW powered by CHEFS CULINAR will take place on October 5, 2026, at Tourismusschule Klessheim. Would you like to experience the competition and the subsequent award ceremony live, meet the finalists, and take a look behind the scenes? Then feel free to reach out to office@jego.at.