35 YEARS OF JRE-GERMANY: WHY FINE DINING TODAY MUST DO MORE THAN SERVE GREAT FOOD
For 35 years, JRE-Germany has stood not only for culinary excellence, but also for the transformation of fine dining itself. While the focus once rested primarily on the dish, the industry is now more intensely than ever debating the future role of fine dining. Statements such as “Fine Dining is dead”, which are increasingly discussed within the sector, symbolize this shift: away from the traditional gourmet experience and toward greater openness, authenticity, and social relevance. Oliver Röder, President of JRE-Germany, explains why fine dining today must offer far more than exceptional cuisine.
Today, it is no longer enough simply to cook well. Fine dining must ask itself what responsibility it takes on, for products, producers, young talent, and ultimately society as a whole. At JRE-Germany, we see this as one of the most important developments of recent years.
In my view, the discussion about whether fine dining is still relevant often misses the point. Fine dining today can provide direction: in how we handle food, approach sustainability and regionality, and shape more conscious enjoyment in the future. Many ideas that originate in fine dining eventually become industry standards a few years later. That is why we carry a particular responsibility.
Responsibility Beyond the Kitchen
As an association of young top chefs, we have always worked closely with regional producers and partners, consciously choosing high-quality, sustainably sourced products. But for us, this mindset does not stop at the restaurant door. We want to share knowledge, involve people, and create experiences that make gastronomy tangible and accessible.
Driven by this ambition, we founded the JRE-Germany Foundation in 2024. The foundation brings together our social initiatives and creates a long-term platform for promoting food education, sustainable practices, and a more conscious approach to food within society. At the same time, it allows us to support concrete projects and advance topics that we believe will become increasingly important in the future, especially when it comes to children and young people.
Education and Enjoyment Combined
One of the foundation’s key pillars is the development of its own educational and event formats, including JRE Chefs4Kids. In these cooking workshops, children aged ten to fourteen cook side by side with top chefs, discover ingredients, and develop an understanding of where food comes from and the value it holds. At the food festival “ZU TISCH! 26” in Wirsberg, we will continue this initiative on May 17, making food education directly tangible and engaging.
Another important component is our regional charity events. Whether in Bonn, Stuttgart, or soon in Baden-Baden, these events combine culinary experiences with meaningful social impact. Since the foundation was established, around €85,000 has already been raised through these fundraising initiatives. The funds support programs such as GemüseAckerdemie by Acker e. V. as well as school initiatives like “HandWerk & HochGenuss” at the Calvarienberg secondary school in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. The next JRE & Friends Charity Gourmet Party will take place on July 5 in Baden-Baden.
Bringing Politics to the Table
At the same time, events such as the Culinary Salon intentionally create platforms for exchange and discussion. Together with the think tank Zukunft der Gastwelt, we bring gastronomy, politics, and the public together once a year to discuss the future of the industry. In the German Bundestag, top chefs, industry representatives, and political decision-makers debate topics including food education, regionality, inclusion, equality, and sustainable framework conditions for hospitality businesses. Central to these discussions is also the question of what societal role fine dining can and should play in the future.
As you can see, for us today it is about far more than great food. Fine dining must not remain within its own bubble. It must take responsibility, initiate discussions, and raise awareness around issues such as nutrition, regionality, sustainability, and conscious enjoyment. This is exactly how we define our mission at JRE-Germany: combining culinary excellence with meaningful social impact.
