Munich. The jury of the international Eckart
Witzigmann Award (ECKART) has made its final selection for this year’s
award ceremony: The ECKART 2018 for “Art of Cookery” goes to
Christopher Kostow. The award, which recognises sustainable enjoyment
and social responsibility, will be presented at the ECKART Gala in New
York in just a few days.
“The art of cookery is naturally about taste – but outstanding food
is more than that. Christopher Kostow proves that award-winning
cuisine goes beyond creating exciting dishes and harmonious
combinations of ingredients. The art of cookery is about
responsibility: Kostow demonstrates his social commitment by promoting
cultivation of regional products and researching and verifying the
origins of the ingredients he uses very thoroughly,” explained Eckart
Witzigmann, announcing the jury’s decision.
Surrounded by vineyards, the Meadowood Resort lies in the heart of
Napa Valley, California’s best-known wine region. At “The Restaurant
at Meadowood”, Christopher Kostow has already accomplished something
in the early stages of his career that many chefs never achieve: The philosophy graduate is the third-youngest
chef, and only the second from the United States, to be awarded three
Michelin stars. Kostow’s cuisine has earned Meadowood an impressive
list of awards that all prove that he is a master of his craft, which
is also self-taught. But what makes the award-winning chef so special
is not the number of accolades he has won, but the reason for winning
them: Kostow cooks in a thoughtful manner, takes great care with
products and only chooses the very best for his outstanding dishes. As
a result, traditional combinations meet culinary invention, realised
with regional products from Napa Valley, as well as seasonal
ingredients grown in the resort’s own garden and picked by hand.
Kostow’s work is enriched by his never-ending curiosity, constantly
changing menu and creations that capture the charm of Napa Valley.
When Kostow is not in the kitchen, he can be found in the Meadowood’s
neighbouring garden, which provides the restaurant with fresh
vegetables, fruits and herbs. Kostow knows exactly where his
ingredients come from – which is just as important to him as how they
taste. His recipes are not created on a whim, but consider what is in
season and can be harvested from the garden. The menu is completed and
complemented by the best wines from Napa Valley. The Meadowood
vegetable garden, which is tended by six gardeners and worthy of
categorisation as a farm, is also part of the local Montessori school,
where pupils learn about the traditional cycle “from producer to
consumer”. Kostow not only demonstrates his culinary talent, but also
shows a willingness to take environmental and social responsibility.
His many awards do not appear to distract Kostow from what matters
most to him: the ingredients.
The ECKART
Partners since 2012, the BMW Group
and the Witzigmann Academy jointly present the Eckart Witzigmann Award
for outstanding achievements in the categories: “Art of Cookery”,
“Innovation”, “Art of Living” and “Creative Responsibility”. The
partnership is based on the joint aim of creating an international
platform for healthy eating, sustainable cuisine and responsible use
of resources. The total endowment of €250,000 reflects the prestige
and importance of the ECKART as a top international culinary award.
The endowment in the name of the BMW Group is designed to support
social and sustainable projects proposed by the award-winners. In this
way, the BMW Group aims to send a signal with the ECKART and take
responsibility. Previous award-winners include Daniel Boulud, HRH
Charles Prince of Wales, Elena Arzak, Anne-Sophie Pic, Harald
Wohlfahrt, Dieter Kosslick, Ferran Adrià, Marc Haeberlin, Joël
Robuchon, Alex Atala, Jon Rose, Mick Hucknall, Massimo Bottura,
Dominique Crenn, Andreas Caminada, Tiffany Persons, María Marte, Alain
Ducasse and many others.
The ECKART 2018 award winners
Christopher Kostow
Napa Valley, USA. ECKART 2018 for Art of Cookery.
Astrid Gutsche and Gastón Acurio
Lima, Peru. ECKART 2018 for Innovation.
Suzanne Cupps and Danny Meyer
New York City, USA. ECKART 2018
for Culture of Living.
Union Square Green Market
New York City, USA. ECKART 2018 for
Creative Responsibility.
If you have any questions, please contact:
BMW Group Corporate Communications
Julian Hetzenecker, BMW Group Business and Financial
Communications
Tel.: +49-89-382-39229
Email: julian.hetzenecker@bmw.de
Email: presse@bmw.de
Media
website: www.press.bmw.de
Press contact ECKART Academy
Otto Geisel
Lachner-Straße 18
80639 München
Tel: +49
89 139 260 26
office@ottogeisel.de
Further information on the Eckart Witzigmann Award can be
found at:
www.eckart-witzigmann-preis.de
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW
Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and
motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services.
The BMW Group production network comprises 30 production and assembly
facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in
more than 140 countries.
In 2017, the BMW Group sold over 2,463,500 passenger vehicles and
more than 164,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the
financial year 2017 was € 10.655 billion on revenues amounting to
€ 98.678 billion. As of 31 December 2017, the BMW Group had a
workforce of 129,932 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established
ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain,
comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to
conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
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