Australian culinary training event at the Casino Zollverein - April 2004

Australian Celebrity chefs, Vic Cherikoff and Benjamin Christie from the popular Australian cooking show Dining Downunder ™ were invited to Casino Zollverein in the town of Essen (nearby Düsseldorf), Germany for a 1 day training course on using Australian native foods.

The Casino Zollverein is acclaimed but for its world reknown restaurant which serves, so called New World Cuisine. The restaurant is considered the “best restaurant in the entire Ruhr-area” – in a place full of contradiction: The Casino Zollverein in the former compressor-hall with its 6-meter high concrete-pillars uniquely combines modern interior design with rough industrial charm.

To add to the kitchen brigade’s vast knowledge, Vic and Benjamin spent the day teaching the Casino Zollverein chefs about the unique flavours of Australian cuisine. In a combined effort with the 14 chefs in the kitchen, we prepared dishes such as Paperbark smoked snapper, Chicken Supreme with kumara and Lemon myrtle sprinkle (Oz lemon); Wattleseed pannacotta and gumleaf sorbet to name a few.

By the end of the day, the chefs from Casino Zollverein were each experimenting with Australia ingredients in their own sections and it was exciting to see these highly motivated German chefs being creative and innovative with the Australian herbs and spices.

In 1932, Zollverein was regarded as the most beautiful mine in the world (sic). The architecture was setting benchmarks and still fascinates visitors today. Now, The bar-area, the restaurant and the lounge unite to an aesthetic and unique sight. The constant industrial elements harmonize with constantly changing interior details and decorations.

For more information about the Casino Zollverein, visit www.casino-zollverein.de