Entertainment

Inspired by mentors such as Mario Hofferer and Marian Beke, Daniel Süle creates cocktails with remarkable creativity and precision. Through his success in numerous recent competitions, his work has not only opened doors around the world but also won the hearts of guests at the Gibson Bar in Berlin. The certified bartender is also happy to share his knowledge, recipes, and creativity—as his thirst-inducing Instagram channel clearly shows.

German beverage chef Marie Rausch is considered one of the most influential figures in the German bar scene. Together with her husband, she founded the bar-restaurant Rotkehlchen in Münster in 2012, which has since become known for its creative drinks and modern bar culture. She initially taught herself the craft as an autodidact while working in Berlin and later attended bartending school in New York. As a trained herbal educator, she works closely with nature and often incorporates fresh ingredients and wild herbs into her creations. Despite this grounded approach, her style remains open-minded and experimental. Rausch has received several awards, including Falstaff “Barwoman of the Year” in 2019 and “Mixologist of the Year” by Rolling Pin in 2022. She also participated in the international “Red Hands” campaign with Zoe Saldana and has served for many years—being the first woman to do so—on the Mixology Award jury. After competing in numerous national and international competitions herself, she is now more often seen as a jury member at major contests. Through her dedication, she continues to shape the German bar scene and inspire both guests and industry colleagues.

Maurice Wächter was born in 1991 in East Westphalia, Germany, and discovered early on his passion for flavors, craftsmanship, and hospitality. Professionally he works as a business lawyer, but his true enthusiasm lies in bar culture. As a bartender at “Spirit of India” in Bad Salzuflen, he developed as a self-taught mixologist and has since received several awards. His drinks are created with creativity, precision, and curiosity—often inspired by nature, regional ingredients, and classic recipes that he reinterprets in a contemporary way. In 2022 he won the “Made in GSA Competition,” and in the Cointreau Margarita Challenge he impressed with an original interpretation of the classic cocktail. In 2025 he won the German preliminary round of the “Meister Hunter Competition.” For 2026, Maurice Wächter was also nominated by Falstaff as “Rookie Bartender of the Year,” highlighting his continuous development and dedication to the craft. He represents a modern yet grounded bar culture, creating memorable moments of enjoyment.

Matthias Knorr is a bartender, trainer, consultant, and entrepreneur based in Munich. He is the founder and managing director of the Barschule München, a state-recognized training institution for professional bartenders, which he established in 2003. As an award-winning IHK-certified Bar Master and appointed IHK examiner, he has been shaping education in gastronomy, hospitality, and the bar industry for many years. In addition to his work as a lecturer and consultant, Matthias Knorr is a multiple-time German champion in flair bartending and a Guinness World Record holder in cocktail mixing. Through modernbartending and the Barschule München, he develops bar concepts, drink menus, and training programs for bars, hotels, and companies in the beverage industry. He is also the author of two professional books. Following his first publication, “Barschule – Bartending: Fine Spirits, Classic Cocktails and Mixing Techniques,” his latest work, “Cocktail Essentials,” is a practical standard reference on techniques, flavors, and modern bar culture. Through his seminars, training sessions, and lectures, Matthias Knorr shares in-depth bar knowledge, professional techniques, and insights into the international world of cocktails.

Founded in 1999, DDC is one of the most renowned breakdance crews in the German-speaking world. Combining breakdance with modern artistry, they have won numerous awards. The crew has toured worldwide, performed at major festivals, and produced over 300 shows, including "Breakin' Mozart." DDC is known for gala shows, TV appearances, and large live events. In 2013, they founded their own company and also provide talent development at the DDC Factory. Since 2023, their tour program "Breakin' Circus" has been on the road.

Balakirev Trio was founded by two members of the internationally acclaimed Atrium Quartet: violinist Anton Ilyunin and cellist Anna Gorelova. After many years of successful quartet activity, both musicians felt a growing desire to explore new artistic horizons beyond the string quartet and to devote themselves to the particularly intimate and dialog-driven world of the trio repertoire. From this idea emerged a new ensemble with its own distinct artistic identity and a clearly recognizable musical profile. The repertoire of the Balakirev Trio spans masterpieces of the trio literature from Johann Sebastian Bach to contemporary composers. Alongside the great classical and romantic works, the ensemble also places special emphasis on rarely performed discoveries, presenting them to the audience with curiosity and imaginative interpretative flair.