Allow me to introduce myself, Maximilian Lorenz
Maximilian Lorenz – owner, Michelin-starred chef, entrepreneur. And a Cologne native through and through!
“A consistent concept of new German cuisine? I stand behind that with my name.”
On May 5, 2018, the Maximilian Lorenz restaurant and the Heinzhermann wine bar opened in the heart of Cologne, a new gourmet destination. The latter bears his first names, two and three, traditionally the first names of his grandfathers. Between the cathedral and the Rhine, in the completely redesigned spaces of the former "Wein am Rhein," Maximilian Lorenz and his team are focusing on a new concept with deep roots: German cuisine!
At just 21 years old, Maximilian Lorenz took the plunge and set up his own restaurant in the spring of 2012. "With 'L'escalier,' I was given the opportunity to take over a restaurant with an excellent reputation early on." The young chef demonstrated respect for this challenge as well as the self-confidence he gained from a solid training in one of the region's best establishments. Under Christopher and Alejandro Wilbrand, Maximilian Lorenz rose to the position of sous chef at the hotel-restaurant "Zur Post" in Odenthal in a very short time after his training. The "Post" has held a Michelin star for years and is well known among gourmets far beyond the borders of the Bergisches Land region.
Maximilian Lorenz cites Dieter Müller and Christopher Wilbrand as his culinary role models: "Dieter Müller's perfection and love of ingredients have always fascinated me. His culinary creations, which preserve the natural flavor of the products, have not made him a culinary legend for nothing." Maximilian Lorenz appreciates his mentor, Christopher Wilbrand, primarily for his qualities as a host: "He succeeds in turning his guests' meal into an experience—not just a mere consuming of food."
In his very first year, Maximilian Lorenz was named "Chef of the Year" by Römer's Restaurant Report and "Newcomer of the Year" by GUSTO. By April 2018, Maximilian Lorenz and his team at L'escalier had earned a star in the Michelin Guide and 16 points in Gault&Millau.
With his catering and event division, Lorenz has been delighting his customers since 2019, whether it's a candlelight dinner for two or a multi-day event with 5,000 guests. With the Maximilian Lorenz food truck, which can be operated 100% autonomously, even events in open spaces are possible.
As owner of the wine shop Maximilian Lorenz , diagonally opposite his restaurants, and as partner in the Alter Lindenhof in his hometown of Bergisch Gladbach, Maximilian rounds off his entrepreneurial and gastronomic portfolio.
In March 2022, Lorenz expanded his gastronomic portfolio with another restaurant, ML STREET KITCHEN, serving healthy and balanced street food dishes such as bowls. The motto here is to conjure up healthy, sustainable, and delicious dishes . Therefore, refined sugar and flavor enhancers are completely avoided!
In his very first year, Maximilian Lorenz was named "Chef of the Year" by Römer's Restaurant Report and "Newcomer of the Year" by GUSTO. By April 2018, Maximilian Lorenz and his team at L'escalier had earned a star in the Michelin Guide and 16 points in Gault&Millau.
With the Pig Bull BBQ, Lorenz demonstrates what's possible beyond gourmet cuisine: Awarded "Street Food of the Year," it serves cult fare to go. The container-based snack bar SMAX in Mühlheim offers the best home-style cooking to go.
With his catering and event division, Lorenz has been delighting his customers since 2019, whether it's a candlelight dinner for two or a multi-day event with 5,000 guests. With the Maximilian Lorenz food truck, which can be operated 100% autonomously, even events in open spaces are possible.
As owner of the wine shop Maximilian Lorenz , diagonally opposite his restaurants, and as partner in the Alter Lindenhof in his hometown of Bergisch Gladbach, Maximilian rounds off his entrepreneurial and gastronomic portfolio.
From 2017 to 2021, Enrico Hirschfeld worked alongside Maximilian Lorenz in the kitchen, forming a congenial duo. Together, they developed ideas for modern culinary art, a new German cuisine of flavors.
In October 2021, Maximilian Lorenz will again assume sole responsibility in the kitchen in order to continue on the successful path he has taken.
In March 2022, Lorenz expanded his gastronomic portfolio with another restaurant, ML STREET KITCHEN, serving healthy and balanced street food dishes such as bowls, ramen, and porridges.
