Munich/Vienna. The ECKART 2019 FOR ART OF LIVING goes
to Wolfgang Puck, one of the most renowned gastronomy entrepreneurs in
the world, who has had a decisive cultural influence in the United
States. The opening of the first gourmet restaurant in Hollywood in
1982 marked the beginning of the Austrian chef’s success story, which
he owes to his culinary brilliance.
“Wolfgang Puck is a modern ambassador of quality and good taste – his
ideas have changed American gastronomy and continue to shape it beyond
the present,” says Dr. Nicolas Peter, Member of the Board of
Management of BMW AG, Finance, and patron of ECKART.
“In addition to his lively personality and his culinary brilliance,
which focuses on evolution instead of radical changes, Puck’s sense
for the right balance between tradition and innovation is the basis of
his success. He also uses this success for a comprehensive social
commitment that is second to none,” says Eckart Witzigmann, explaining
the jury’s decision.
Puck supports numerous foundations and organizations such as the
American Cancer Society, the Special Olympics and the Make-A-Wish
Foundation and is dedicated to promoting young talent. Since 2007,
Wolfgang Puck has also committed himself to no longer offering foie
gras in his bars and restaurants and to focusing entirely on
organically-grown products.
Wolfgang Puck’s path to world-class gastronomy led him from his
Austrian homeland via France to America. Puck now operates over 100
restaurants worldwide, including several star restaurants. For 20
years, he has also served as the chef for the Governors Ball – the
official dinner after the Oscars. Despite his international fame,
however, he continues to focus on his roots, as the Wiener Schnitzel
can be found on all of Puck’s menus.
The ECKART
The BMW Group and the ECKART Academy have been partners since 2012
and jointly award the Eckart Witzigmann Prize for outstanding
achievements in the gastronomy scene. The partnership is based on the
common goal of promoting healthy nutrition, sustainable cuisine and
the responsible use of resources. 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 award for sustainable enjoyment and social responsibility will be
presented at a ceremony in Vienna on 19 May 2019.
BMW Group Press and Public Relations
Daria Nikitina, Corporate Communications
Telephone:
+49 89
382-60340, Fax:
+49 89 382-24418
Email: Daria.Nikitina@bmw.de
Mathias Schmidt, Head of Corporate and Culture Communications
Telephone:
+49 89
382-24544, Fax:
+49 89 382-24418
Email: Mathias.M.Schmidt@bmw.de
Internet: www.press.bmwgroup.com
Email: presse@bmwgroup.com
ECKART Academy, Executive Management
Represented by: Otto Geisel
Tel.:
+49 (0)89 139 260
26 Mobile:
+49 (0)151 65533070
Email: office@ottogeisel.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 2018, the BMW Group sold over 2,490,000 passenger vehicles and
more than 165,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the
financial year 2018 was € 9.815 billion on revenues amounting to
€ 97.480 billion. As of 31 December 2018, the BMW Group had a
workforce of 134,682 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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