Eckart Witzigmann

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Eckart Witzigmann (July 4, 1941- ) is an Austrian chef who promoted French Nouvelle Cuisine in the German-speaking world.

After his chef-apprenticeship in the Hotel Straubinger in Bad Gastein (1957-1960), Witzigmann moved on to numerous positions in prestigious restaurants around the world, among others as a student of Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France.

His work in Germany began in 1971 at the Munich restaurant Tantris designed by the architect Justus Dahinden.

On November 19, 1979, he became the first German-speaking chef (and the third, outside of Germany) to receive the esteemed three stars from the French Michelin Guide for his Munich restaurant Aubergine which he had opened one year previously.

In 1993, because of a cocaine scandal he lost the permit for Aubergine, but the next year he received the rare award chef of the century from the Gault Millau guide. Only three other chefs have been awarded this title:Paul Bocuse, Joël Robuchon and Frédy Girardet.

Since then, Witzigmann has published many cooking books.