The 20th edition of the "Europe's Best" gourmet festival brought together top chefs with a total of 23 Michelin stars, as well as renowned winemakers and culinary experts, on board the MS Europa. (Photo: © Hapag-Lloyd Cruises / Christian Wyrwa)
Read aloud:
September 9, 2026
For the 20th time, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises celebrated the gourmet festival "Europe's Best" on the Europa – a true who's who of prominent chefs, winemakers and culinary experts.
A delightful voyage awaits. Framed by the atmospheric harbor scenery of Hamburg , Hapag-Lloyd Cruises celebrated the 20th annual "Europe's Best" gourmet festival aboard the MS Europa . To mark the anniversary, the cruise line recorded a record: the top chefs participating this year boasted a combined total of 23 Michelin stars . Isolde Susset, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises , recalled the beginnings of the gourmet festival: "I had the privilege of attending the first edition in Heiligendamm in 2004. I am proud of how our event has developed."
With five restaurants, including three specialty restaurants, the MS Europa places a clear emphasis on sophisticated gastronomy. This is also evident in the fact that many of the chefs trained on board are now established in fine dining. Like Kevin Fehling. The three-Michelin-starred chef prepared Faroese salmon at one of the cooking stations on the anniversary evening.
Image gallery
Operations management
Operations management
Operations management
Kevin Fehling joined the MS Europa as a cook in 2000 and worked his way up to head chef of the gourmet restaurant. After further positions in renowned restaurants, Fehling opened " The Table " in Hamburg's HafenCity in 2015. That same year, the restaurant was awarded three Michelin stars.
Despite his success, the restaurateur has remained loyal to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and thus to the MS Europa. The restaurant " The Globe by Kevin Fehling " on board the MS Europa bears his signature. Kevin Fehling continues to delight guests on select cruises with a culinary style he describes as " cosmopolitan cuisine ."
I agree to display all external content and to change my cookie settings to 'Allow all cookies'. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.
But the other top chefs also presented exceptional culinary experiences . Among them was Ben Schütz, the current head chef of the MS Europa and thus the host of this convivial evening . After successful years in restaurants on land, Ben Schütz decided to gain culinary experience on the world's oceans. He first came aboard the MS Europa in 2023. In just two and a half years, the demi chef was promoted from chef de partie and sous chef to head chef . On the anniversary evening, he served guests a braised US short rib of beef with gochujang, carrot, shiitake mushrooms, jasmine rice, and coriander.
In her welcoming speech, Isolde Susset happily listed which of the chefs present had either completed their training on the ship or could at least look back on stages of their culinary life in the vicinity of the MS Europa.
On board, the approximately 400 guests were treated to an exquisite array of culinary creations that left nothing to be desired. Marco Müller from the three-Michelin-starred Rutz restaurant in Berlin, for example, was delighted to see the satisfied faces of the guests after enjoying a garden herb ice cream with kingfish and garum tomato. The cooking station of Marcel Skibba from the three-Michelin-starred Schloss Schauenstein restaurant was also surrounded by food enthusiasts. He had prepared veal breast with kohlrabi, bell peppers, and garden herbs for the evening.
"Where there's wine, there's joy," as the saying goes. Eleven wineries and wine partners from Germany, France, Italy, and Austria presented a fine selection of exquisite wines on the port and starboard sides of the pool deck. Champagne, as well as white and red wines from Germany, France, Italy, and Austria, were served.
The Othegraven winery perhaps became the most popular photo subject that evening. The winery belongs to TV presenter Günther Jauch, who personally poured wine for the guests, explained the wines, and cheerfully answered their questions.
I agree to display all external content and to change my cookie settings to 'Allow all cookies'. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.
Ten culinary experts gathered around the Lido pool . On offer were wonderful cheeses from Fromagerie Antony . Markus Rüsch distributed samples from Altonaer Kaviar Import Haus , and Ralf Bos of Bos Food, known as the "Truffle Pope," served spaghetti from a Parmesan wheel with a truffle sauce. And, as usual, the gourmet specialist topped it all off with a generous portion of Australian winter truffles.
The live band "Heavens Club" and DJ Pete provided the musical finale with a mix of live music and DJ sounds. After a delightful evening, guests were able to burn off a few calories while dancing – but only with the intention of returning next year to the MS Europa for another culinary evening featuring "Europe's Best".
The date for the next edition has already been set: On August 13, 2027, top chefs, winemakers and culinary experts will once again gather for an unforgettable mix of culinary experiences.
Learn moreOther ambassadors of fine cuisine include
– Thorsten Bender, Being, Germany (2 Michelin stars)
– Dirk Luther, Meierei, Germany (2 Michelin stars)
– Martin Stopp, Atama by Martin Stopp, Germany (2 Michelin stars)
– Jürgen van der Zalm, Vinkeles Restaurant, Netherlands (2 Michelin stars)
– Thomas Dorfer, Country house Bacher, Austria (2 Michelin stars)
– Dieter Koschina, Vila Joya, Portugal (2 Michelin stars)
– Tanja Grandits, Stucki, Switzerland (2 Michelin stars)
Other ambassadors of exquisite wines and champagnes include
– Markus Schneider, Markus Schneider Winery/Germany
– Dominik Völk, Karthäuserhof Winery/Germany
– Martin Waßmer, Martin Waßmer Winery/Germany
– Helmut Aichinger, Château d'Esclans/France
– Justine Bouchut, Knight's Domain/France
– Karine Barbier, Chateau Lascombes/France
– Javier Terres, Champagne from Moët Hennessy/France
– Pierre Enjalbert, Tenuta del Nicchio winery/Italy
– Helena Lageder, Alois Lageder Winery/Italy
– Robert Bodenstein, Prager Winery/Austria
Among the other culinary experts include
– Lucki Maurer, Stoi, Rattenberg/Germany
– Dr. Heyko Wychodil & Sönke Plautz, Becking coffee, Hamburg/Germany
– Dr. Peter van Nahmen, Van Nahmen, Hamminkeln/Germany
– Sebastian Hess, Ory Bar Mandarin Oriental, Munich/Germany
– Sabine & Jörg Fischer, John L., Kiel/Germany
– Kevin Kugel, Chocolatier, Sindelfingen/Germany
– Marco D'Andrea, confectioner, Hamburg/Germany
Booking Europe's Best 2027
Following the gourmet festival The MS Europa departs for a four-day voyageThe route runs from August 13th to 17th (4 days) from Hamburg via Arendal and Aalborg to Kiel. This short trip, which also includes the event, is now available in the Platinum fare starting from €3.190 per person based on double occupancy, excluding travel packages, through partner agencies and online at [website address missing]. hl-cruises.de available.
On tour with Kevin Fehling
The 3-star chef has made a total of eight trips. Kevin Fehling on board the MS Europa (Subject to change).DHB now also digital!Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!
Newsletter
Write a comment