Johannes King is one of Germany’s most respected chefs, who for more than two decades led the two-Michelin-star Sol’ring Hof on the North Sea island of Sylt. A Black Forest farmer’s son turned star chef, he became synonymous with refined island cuisine and later with his own range of gourmet products.
From training with the greatest French chefs to being named German Chef of the Year, King built a reputation for excellence rooted in the produce of Sylt and the sea.
TL;DR
- German chef, born in 1963 in the Black Forest
- Long-time host of the Sol’ring Hof on Sylt
- First Michelin star in 1993; two stars from 2004
- Named Gault Millau Chef of the Year in 1997
- Now focused on his gourmet products in Keitum
Johannes King key facts
| Born | 1963, Schramberg, Black Forest |
| Nationality | German |
| Known for | Sol’ring Hof, Sylt (2 Michelin stars) |
| Two stars from | 2004 |
| Honour | Gault Millau Chef of the Year 1997 |
Black Forest roots
Johannes King was born in 1963 in Schramberg and grew up with nine siblings on his parents’ farm in the Black Forest. He apprenticed from 1979 to 1982 and, in 1987, made training trips to a who’s who of French cuisine, including Chapel, Troisgros, Girardet, Passard and Robuchon.
A first star
In 1989 King became head chef at the Grand Slam restaurant in Berlin, where he earned his first Michelin star in 1993. In 1997 Gault Millau named him Chef of the Year, and in 1998 he was made Berlin Master Chef.
The Sol’ring Hof
From 2000 King was host at the Dorint Sol’ring Hof in Rantum on Sylt, which earned one Michelin star and then two from 2004. For more than two decades he was the face and soul of the restaurant, gradually stepping back from operations in 2018 and departing at the end of 2021.
Signature style
King’s cuisine was refined and precise, built on the finest produce of Sylt and the North Sea. In later years he channelled his craft into his Genuss-Shop in Keitum and his own gourmet products, remaining one of the enduring figures of German island gastronomy.
Johannes King in context
King is one of Germany’s most respected chefs featured on Pickup Table 4, alongside German star chefs such as Christoph Ruffer and Wahabi Nouri.
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Johannes King FAQ
Who is Johannes King?
A German chef who led the two-star Sol’ring Hof on Sylt.
Where is he from?
The Black Forest, near Schramberg.
How many Michelin stars did Sol’ring Hof have?
Two, from 2004.
What award did he win in 1997?
Gault Millau Chef of the Year.
What does he focus on now?
His gourmet products and Genuss-Shop in Keitum.
