In an exciting competition at the Allianz Arena, the team from restaurant Teko by Lange Rodriguez secured victory at the German final of the Copa Jerez. They impressed the high-calibre expert jury with their menu and Sherry pairing, and will represent Germany at the international final of the Copa Jerez Forum & Competition 2027 in Spain against competitors from seven other countries. Their victory was celebrated that evening together with over 600 distinguished personalities from the gastronomy and media world.
Decided: Hans and Chantal Lange Rodriguez to Represent Germany
Three exceptional menus, one verdict: the national qualifying round of the Copa Jerez 2026 at the Munich Allianz Arena was a testament to the immense expressive power that Sherry wines can unleash as culinary companions. Three chef-and-sommelier teams each presented a three-course menu with a matching Sherry wine pairing to the high-calibre expert jury. Hans and Chantal Lange Rodriguez from Teko by Lange Rodriguez in Essen were the most convincing – and thereby qualified for the international final in Spain.
In second place were Mathias Jüngling and Adrian Hasani from Restaurant LUMI, Seezeitlodge Hotel&Spa in Nohfelden, and in third place Jerome Becht and Jonas Graf from Brasserie Moulins, Dorint Parkhotel, Bad Vilbel.
The event was held in conjunction with the semi-final of Koch des Jahres (Chef of the Year) – over 600 distinguished personalities from gastronomy and hospitality, as well as press representatives, TV crews and culinary influencers were in attendance to jointly crown the winning team.
High-Calibre Expert Jury Impressed by the Creativity and Depth of the Pairings
Die The performance of the three teams was evaluated by a high-calibre expert jury, including Philipp Künemund (Vice President, Sommelier Union Germany), Gabriele Heins (Editor-in-Chief, Feinschmecker), Christoph Nicklas (Editor, meiningers sommelier), Thomas Götz (Wine journalist and Spain correspondent), Astrid Becker (Culinary Editor, Süddeutsche Zeitung) and Pablo Calvo (Head of Department ICEX – Wines from Spain). The jury was impressed by the creative depth of the menus – and by the stories the teams expressed through their pairings.
„Sherry is an unique drink that deserves far more attention. What impressed me most today in the competition was how a bridge was built between different cultures – most powerfully in the pairing of duck, red cabbage and Sherry. An incredible broadening of one’s horizons and flavour spectrum.”
- Juror Gabriele Heins, Editor-in-Chief Feinschmecker
Die The World Stage Calls – International Final of the Copa Jerez Forum & Competition 2027 in Spain
Die The Copa Jerez is an initiative of the Regulatory Council for the Denomination of Origin of Sherry Wines from Jerez (CRDO) in collaboration with ICEX – Wines from Spain, which over more than two decades has established itself as the world's most prestigious platform for the interplay of Sherry wines and haute cuisine. The winning team will travel to Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) in June 2027, where they will represent Germany at the 12th international final of the Copa Jerez Forum & Competition against competitors from seven other nations, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, the USA, the United Kingdom and Mexico.
Pablo Calvo und Sonja Overhage-Mrosk, Heads of the ICEX – Wines from Spain department in Düsseldorf, summarise the result:
“The combinations presented today are clear proof of the extraordinary versatility of Sherry wines in gastronomy. It is a wine unique in the world, whose origin and production method make it an ideal companion for a wide variety of culinary creations.
Das The extraordinarily high level of the Copa Jerez participants throughout its 25-year history confirms the growing international recognition of these wines in the most demanding gastronomic markets. A position that Sherry wines undoubtedly deserve as great wines.”
The Competition Menus:
Hans Lange Rodriguez & Chantal Lange Rodriguez – Teko by Lange Rodriguez, Essen
Starter: Tuna | Green Banana | Charque | Karashi
Sherry: Delgado Zuleta Manzanilla En Rama, La Goya
Main course: Duck | Red Cabbage | Arepa | Tamarindo
Sherry: Oloroso „Alfonso”, González Byass
Dessert: Guava | Aloe Vera | Green Pepper | Cocoa
Sherry: Lustau Moscatel Emilin Superior
Mathias Jüngling & Adrian Hasani – Restaurant LUMI, Seezeitlodge Hotel & Spa, Nohfelden
Starter: Quail, Celeriac, Porcini, Spruce
Sherry: Lustau Jarana Fino Seco, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO
Main course: Confit Halibut, Blueberry, Cauliflower
Sherry: Equipo Navazos La Bota 113 de Manzanilla, Manzanilla – Sanlúcar de Barrameda DO
Dessert: Quark Mousse, Rhubarb, Raspberry, Buckwheat Granola
Sherry: González Byass Pedro Ximénez Nectar, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO
Jerome Becht & Jonas Graf – Brasserie Moulins, Dorint Parkhotel Bad Vilbel
Starter: From Sea and Land – Langoustine Mousse | Yellowtail Mackerel | Osietra Caviar | Bellota Iberico | Hazelnut
Sherry: Valdespino Viejo C.P. Palo Cortado V.O.R.S. 30 Años
Main course: Veal Black & White | Cauliflower | Mustard | Lovage
Sherry: Bodegas Tradición – Tradición Oloroso V.O.R.S. 30 Años
Dessert: ApVil – Apple³ | Celery Sorbet | Dulce de Leche Mousse | Long Pepper | Oat
Sherry: Lustau Escuadrilla Rare Amontillado Sherry
Background Information on the COPA JEREZ
The Copa Jerez has developed over two decades into the most important professional event for Sherry wines in haute cuisine, bringing together some of the most important personalities in gastronomy and oenology. It is distinguished by a high international prestige, owed in no small part to the very high standard of the jury as well as the participating teams and the gastronomic proposals submitted to the competition.
In the last edition of the COPA JEREZ, Germany was represented in the international final by chef Jan Nachtigall and sommelier Daniel Koge from Novanta Bar & Restaurant in Essen. Overall victory in the eleventh edition of the Copa Jerez went for the fourth time to the Danish team, represented by chef Emil Rask Bahr and sommelier Andreas Kobs Laursen from Restaurant Sdr. Bjert Kro.
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Press Contact & Accreditation
Paula Teichert
paula.teichert@kochdesjahres.de
Tel. +49 (0)177 / 9728240
