Chef of the year 2009 - Nils Henkel
For a long time already, readers of the gastronomy business communicate overwhelming praise regarding the testing of the Gourmet Restaurant “Dieter Müller“ at Schlosshotel Lerbach. This success is no longer only the result of the Patron-Chef Dieter Müller himself, but also his head chef Nils Henkel.
In February 2008 Dieter Müller handed the wooden spoon of his correspondent, with three stars awarded restaurant officially to his model student. To the big delight of everyone, the restaurant was also for the year 2009 awarded with the highest qualification by the Guide Michelin and therefore highly values the existing perfection of the Gourmet Cuisine at Schlosshotel Lerbach, under the direction of the new champion, Nils Henkel. Hence it is no surprise that this shining bright culinary northern light was being nominated as “Chef of the year 2009“.
Nils Henkel views himself with his philosophy, wanting to give a special experience of enjoyment to every guest, as the right member of young excellent cooks. The 39-year old who started his career in 1986 as a trainee at the Romantik Hotel "Voss Haus" in Eutin, had decided already during his schooldays to learn how to cook. Inspiration, he says, were for him the down-to-earth meals prepared with a lot of love by his mother who cooked very good and gladly for the family.
Especially impressed was the young Henkel finally by a cookery book written by Dieter Müller which he discovered during the end of his apprenticeship. “From there on I wanted to work with Dieter Müller.” Until he got to this point though, Nils Henkel worked in some renowned restaurants: In Hamburg at "Le Jardin”, at “Landhaus Scherrer” and at "Il Ristorante", afterwards at the restaurant “Valkenhof” in Coesfeld and finally at "Averbecks Giebelhof" in Senden-Ottmarsbocholt. In 1997 Nils Henkel became as second Sous-Chef a member of the team at Schlosshotel Lerbach, before he became Sous-Chef in 1999 under Dieter Müller. In 2004 Dieter Müller declared Nils Henkel an equal head chef.
Asking the young and excellent cook, how he imagines the future, you get a clear answer. At Lerbach he wants to stay , just like the past eleven years. Because besides the most beautiful workplace that one could think of and the most beautiful ambience for the guests of the house, he has a great team in the kitchen and service. Part of this team are besides others the excessively charming Restaurant Manager Birgit Müller as well as the very convincing young Sommelier Thomas Sommer and André Thomann as Maître.
So who is surprised that with so much enthusiasm the kitchen of Nils Henkel attracts with the finest balanced creations? The joy in any case, always to combine new flavours and to offer a modern kitchen which is rich in contrast, seems to be unbroken
