Augsburg, February 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., Hotel Maximilian’s will transform into a stage for powerful emotions, extraordinary encounters, and culinary highlights. At this year’s Simon Lang & Friends Gourmet Festival, visionaries of haute cuisine will join forces with passionate hosts to create an evening that goes far beyond a traditional dinner.

12 chefs. 14 stars. 1 evening.

What makes this festival so special is not just the impressive numbers: 12 top chefs with a combined total of 14 Michelin stars come together to create a culinary masterpiece. Each course tells its own story – ranging from regionally rooted to internationally inspired, from delicately composed to boldly contrasting.

Among the “stars of the evening” are renowned names from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain – including:

Simon Lang, host and creative director of the evening

Stefan Fäth, Ulrich Heimann, Jockl Kaiser, Hendrik Ketter, Fabio Toffolon & Dominik Sato, Hans Häge, Jason Grom, Carmelo Greco & Benedetto Russo, Manuel Ulrich and Marco Langer

They all represent a cuisine that pushes boundaries, reimagines flavors, and celebrates enjoyment as a sensory experience.

Culinary Journeys – stations full of sophistication

Arne Reez

Christian Herrmann – Laura Hollander – Christopher Campbell

The festival is designed as an enjoyable journey of discovery. Guests stroll through the stylish rooms – from the kitchen to the tea lounge and the music rooms – and experience each course in a new setting. The entire hotel becomes a culinary world of experience.

Whether it’s tenderly cooked monkfish with exotic touches, exquisitely balanced game or poultry dishes, or artful desserts featuring white chocolate, winter truffles, and gold – every plate is a statement.

A special highlight: The evening wraps up around 10:00 p.m. with a “late-night snack,” allowing you to enjoy the experience in a relaxed, almost private atmosphere.

The Perfect Pairing – The Sommelier Selection

A gourmet festival of this caliber calls for equally excellent beverages. The carefully curated Sommelier Selection reads like an international “Who’s Who” of the wine and spirits world:

Champagne from Veuve Clicquot

Fine wines from Franconia, South Tyrol, Burgundy, Rioja, and Piedmont

Grappa di Nonino, Tequila Código 1530

Dallmayr specialties and select mineral waters

Every pairing decision is designed to enhance flavors, highlight contrasts, and add depth to the menu.

Simon Lang – Theodor Gandenheimer – Wolf Bakery

More Than Just Dinner – A Matter of the Heart

It becomes clear right from the personal welcome by Managing Director Theodor Gandenheimer and Executive Chef Simon Lang: This festival is a labor of love.

It’s about a shared passion for exceptional cuisine.
It’s about the courage to try something new. And it’s about the joy of sharing the finest culinary experiences with special guests.

Here, gourmets, business leaders, culture enthusiasts, and friends of the establishment come together in an exclusive yet warm atmosphere. The Sartory – awarded a Michelin star – serves as the culinary centerpiece and embodies the establishment’s philosophy: uncompromising quality, a creative touch, and genuine hospitality.

An evening to remember

The 2026 Gourmet Festival at Hotel Maximilian’s is a special event – more than that, it’s a unique experience.

An evening where you wander through rooms while journeying through flavors.
An evening where stars shine not only in the sky, but also on plates, in glasses, and in the eyes of the guests.
An evening that brings people, cultures, and tastes together.

And in the end, there’s more than just memories:
There’s the feeling of having been part of something truly special.

Simon Lang & Lady Dr. h.c. Astrid Arens

Photo source: Marcus Weise – Hotel Maximilians – Simon Lang and Friends