Each year Maître Restaurateur Gerhard Bocek invites members of the Chaîne and guests to his restaurant, Marchfelderhof, to celebrate the “Golden Asparagus” awards.

Asparagus, often referred to as the “Emperor of vegetables” has been grown in Austria since the 16th century. Due to a lack of transport and refrigeration facilities it was necessary to cultivate the crop near the capital (in Marchfeld). From that time the abundance of asparagus recipes in Viennese cookbooks is impressive. In 1996 Marchfeld’s asparagus was awarded a “designation of origin” by the European Union.

At this year’s celebration, the award of “best asparagus cook” went to Maître Rôtisseur Toni Mörwald and “best gastronome of asparagus” to Hans Schmid.

A local band played whilst sparkling wine with warm wild garlic bread and peanuts welcomed us.  Executive Chef Christian Langer served an outstanding menu accompanied by corresponding wines from the Roland Minkowitsch winery.

MENU

‘Amuse gueule’
Pralines, goose liver, asparagus tips
Chardonnay 2016

Asparagus cream cake, home pickled salmon
white and green asparagus salad
salsa of dried tomatoes
Welschriesling 2016

Clarified asparagus soup
brioche dumpling, asparagus and crab

Risotto with green asparagus
greaves and red parsnips
Weinviertel DAC 2016

Medaillon of “Sulmtaler” chicken
solo asparagus, glazed Beluga lentils, new potatoes, lavender
de vite Rheinriesling 2016

Strawberry ginger ragout
seasoned with chili powder
Private Riesling 2015

The award winners were congratulated by Conseiller Culinaire Bernhard Frais who also expressed appreciation on behalf of the party to the kitchen and service brigades for the excellent menu and great hospitality.

Everyone agreed that it had been an exceptional event. Now, we are already looking forward to the 2018 event!

Werner Scheibenpflug
Chargé de Presse