Les Amis de l’Art de Vivre
In 1987 Wolf Freiherr von Hornstein founded and organized the unique circle of friends & guests „Les Amis de l’Art de Vivre”. The cultivation and promotion of food, wine and table culture was the considered the commitment and greater goal of this society. And so they chose and promoted fine gourmet hotels and restaurants.
Wolf von Hornstein, born in 1918 in Frankfurt on the Main, first worked as a publisher and editor of trade journals for viticulture, beverage technology and horticulture. In 1968 he purchased the former parish office in Süderende on the island of Föhr and turned it into a small country inn with a restaurant. Later it would become a Relais & Châteaux. In 1981 he was honored with one Michelin star, one Varta toque and four Schlemmer-Atlas spoons for his achievements in the kitchen. Gault Millau graced him with 2 toques and 16 points. Due to health reasons Wolf Freiherr von Hornstein had to sell his hotel and restaurant in 1986. Ever since it was founded in 1987 the society has developed continually. Today it lists more than 20 gourmet residences with numerous Michelin stars and Gault Millau toques. Part of L’Art de Vivre is made up by excellent top chefs in German speaking countries.
With a referral from an “ami” or a gourmet residence, guests and gourmands can become members, as long as they commit to the philosophy and support our commitment to children in need.
Klaus Sieker was elected president in November 2008. Prior to holding this position he had worked as the society’s CEO.
President: Klaus Sieker
L’Art de Vivre Office
Minkweg 25 | D-47803 Krefeld
Phone: +49 2151 564599 | Fax +49 2151 564497
www.gourmet-residenzen.com | klaus.sieker@web.de
The L’Art de Vivre Honorary Award
This award recognizes the promotion of culinary high culture in Germany and exceptional lifetime achievements. Recipients of this special award are:
2002 Eckart Witzigmann, Munich
2005 Harald Wohlfahrt, Baiersbronn
2007 Martin Öxle, Stuttgart-Hohenheim
The L’Art de Vivre Award for “Great Culinary Art and Hospitality”
Les Amis de l’Art de Vivre, the circle of friends & guests of the l’Art de Vivre Gourmet Residences endowed a prize in 1996, which is annually awarded to exceptional chefs and exemplary hosts. This award for great culinary art and hospitality is donated to various private children’s charities, it includes the prize money of 10.000 € plus additional donations by Les Amis.
So far we were able to raise more than 300.000 € for needy and deaf children, as well as children with cancer and cystic fibrosis.
Recipients of this award:
1996 Roland and Waltraud Burtsche, Colombi Hotel
1997 Heiner and Renate Finkbeiner, Traube Tonbach
1998 Heinz Winkler, Residenz in Aschau
1999 Jörg and Ursula Wörther, Schloss Prielau
2000 Dieter L. and Elvira Kaufmann, Zur Traube
2001 Helmut and Ulrike Thieltges, Waldhotel Sonnora
2002 Dieter und Birgit Müller, Schlosshotel Lerbach
2003 Hans Stefan and Gabi Steinheuer, Zur Alten Post
2004 Jörg and Barbara Müller, Hotel in Westerland
2006 Christian and Yildiz Bau, Schloss Berg
2007 Joachim Wissler, Grand Hotel Schloss Bensberg
2008 Thomas Bühner and Thayarni Kanagaratnam, La Vie
