FROM CHIPS TO SCALLOPS
When Tim Raue gets teary-eyed with emotion, when the city is buzzing and people are out and about discovering new flavours, when chip shops and Michelin-starred restaurants pull together, when international gastronomic stars cook and celebrate together. That's when the spotlight turns to an industry that usually puts guests at the centre of attention. The Rolling Pin Convention trade symposium and the Chefs in Town foodie event jointly celebrate gastronomy.
Kerstin Rapp-Schwan, Entrepreneur and board member, Food Service
'Gastronomy is a lubricant for society,' says Kerstin Rapp-Schwan. From the very first moment, it is clear that the entrepreneur and board member of the Food Service Women's Network is passionate about the industry. That's why it was important to her to get involved. During the pandemic, there was a threat of a return to 19 per cent VAT in connection with staff shortages. The industry has undergone significant changes in recent years. In recognition of her commitment, Kerstin Rapp- Schwan was named Düsseldorf Citizen of the Year in the Business category in 2025. 'The restaurant industry is still not doing well, and perhaps not everyone has yet understood how important we are to society. That's why we wanted to raise the profile of the gastronomy sector in the public eye.' This need gave rise to 'Chefs in Town' in close cooperation with Metro and the City of Düsseldorf. It is a decentralised event that brings together national celebrity chefs with local restaurants, making it accessible to the public. From chips to scallops, there's something to suit every budget. We're full of enthusiasm for breaking new ground and letting guests try new things. 'Chefs in Town is much more than that,' explains Kerstin Rapp-Schwan. As well as over 200 gastronomic and cultural experiences in more than 100 participating restaurants, cafés, bars and hotels, there were also industry talks, activities for young people, and charity events. All of this was possible without paying any fees to the celebrity chefs. According to Kerstin Rapp-Schwan, this could be one of the factors behind its success. 'Chefs in Town is not a marketing stunt by a company, but rather an initiative to bring this industry into the spotlight for a weekend.' The fact that this attracts many chefs is also certainly due to the Rolling Pin Convention, an industry gathering which took place in Düsseldorf at the same time and attracted a record number of visitors in 2025. It's a specialist symposium with rock 'n' roll vibes. 'It's no coincidence that Rolling Pin and Rolling Stone are close to each other,' says Jürgen Pichler, the CEO and founder of both the convention and the magazine. 'If you want to get young people excited about this industry, you have to make it sexy. Ultimately, it's emotions that get into their heads.' He also mentions the emotional benefits: 'You won't find this kind of togetherness in any other industry. When you work in hospitality, you make friends all over the world. We always help each other. It's like a big family.' This is because large or upmarket kitchens often employ people from five or six different nationalities. This results not only in exciting combinations on the plate, but also in a lasting sense of cohesion. The industry celebrated this sense of community for the second time at the Rolling Pin Convention in Düsseldorf. Jürgen Pichler sums it up: “People were in an incredibly good mood, and we had an amazing line-up, from René Redzepi and Massimo Bottura to Rasmus Munk and Gennaro Contaldo, Tim Mälzer's mentor. This combination of interest, great exhibitors and speakers was unique. It even brought tears to Tim Raue's eyes. Only a live event can do that — you bring people together, and you can feel the vibe from the very first moment."
10,874 top chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs and experts from all over the world gathered in Düsseldorf in September 2025 for the Rolling Pin Convention.
Jürgen Pichler, CEO and Founder, Rolling Pin Convention
This atmosphere, this celebration of an industry, took place twofold in Düsseldorf. Rolling Pin and Chefs in Town are a great combination that benefits both sides," says Kerstin Rapp-Schwan. Jürgen Pichler adds: “For me, it's the best food festival in Germany.” Both formats are also clearly the result of the efforts of many partners, above all Metro AG as the initiator. Kerstin Rapp-Schwan also credits the participating agencies, The Rocket Scientists, Schlieter & friends, and Bionic Systems, for contributing to the success of Chefs in Town. Not to mention the participating bars, restaurants and cafés. Planning for both events in 2026 is already underway. Hotels also play an important role in this context. “Then it might also become a tourist event where Düsseldorfers invite their friends and say: Come along, it's going to be a mega weekend.” So, it won’t long before Düsseldorf will be known as the gastronomic capital. •
„When you work in hospitality, you make friends all over the world“
Text: Lisa Maria Kunst
Pictures: www.rollingpin.com, Martin Gentschow, Michael Lübke