GERMANY'S 2024 "CHEF OF THE YEAR" AT FRANKFURT'S NEW FLORENTIN HOTEL

New York, July 15, 2025: Last year, Germany's leading gourmet magazine, “Feinschmecker,” labeled him “Chef of the Year.” A year earlier, he became one of Germany's youngest chef ever to receive two Michelin stars. And this year, 31-year-old Niclas Nussbaumer has been appointed chef of the destination restaurant at The Florentin in Frankfurt, the newest luxury hotel of the prestigious Althoff Collection, set to open on November 1.

Niclas Nussbaumer is one of the rising talents of his generation. At the age of 14, he decided to pursue a career in fine dining and underwent comprehensive training in all areas of gastronomy at the renowned Hotel Erbprinz in Ettlingen. Subsequently, he came to Althoff's attention working at its Seehotel Ueberfahrt on Bavaria's Lake Tegernsee. And it was his creativity as the 29-year-old head chef of the "Mühle" on the Black Forest's Lake Schluchsee that earned him two Michelin stars. Together with his partner Lea Rupp, who is helping to shape the new restaurant as Head of Service, Nussbaumer will set the culinary tone for The Florentin. Their shared goal: to enrich Frankfurt with a gourmet experience that sets national and international standards.

"With Niclas Nussbaumer, we are not only looking forward to welcoming a multi-award-winning chef, but also a true visionary of the young gourmet generation," says Boris Messmer, General Manager of The Florentin. "His ambition, his energy, and his creative style are a perfect fit for what we want to achieve in this hotel." No other German hotel company has recently been as consistently committed to gastronomy as Althoff Hotels. Many of Germany's best chefs have developed at Althoff – and to this day, this consistent support attracts talent from across the industry.

Frank Marrenbach, CEO of Althoff Hotels, adds: "Our hotels are stages for talent. I am particularly pleased that we have been able to attract a special duo, Niclas Nssßbaumer and Lea Rupp, for our opening in Frankfurt, who combine excellent cuisine and hospitality at the highest level. Their passion and ambition symbolize the spirit of the Althoff COLLECTION."

For more information on The Florentin, visit: https://www.althoffcollection.com/en/the-florentin