Heinz Winkler, a well-known chef, has died. The restaurateur died after a heart attack on Friday evening. Aschau im Chiemgau was devastated by the news of the death of its famed star chef. The mayor praises his life's effort.

Heinz Winkler
[Heinz Winkler]


Heinz Winkler, a renowned chef, passed away at the age of 73. Herbert Reiter, the director of the tourist information center in Aschau, expressed his profound sadness to BR24 when he confirmed the news of the death of the well-known celebrity chef. BR learned on Saturday afternoon, from the management of the luxury hotel "Residenz Heinz Winkler" in Aschau in the Chiemgau, that Winkler had passed away as the result of a heart attack.


A manager of the residence stated in an interview with BR that on Thursday, the cook was still standing at the stove in his residence when he collapsed in the evening on the way to his car due to a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. The manager of the residence was quoted in the article. For the time being, he is still capable of being resuscitated. However, while he was being treated at the Rosenheim hospital, he was induced into an artificial coma, from which he did not recover. The manager of the facility claims that the medical staff there "fought for his life" for an entire day. They were all able to say their final goodbyes to one another in the hospital where he was being treated.


Heinz Winkler's life was utterly shattered by the event. The 73-year-old individual expressed a desire to take things a step or two easier. As a result of the global financial crisis and the attendant lack of available staff, he continued to cook the food himself. According to the manager, the hotel and restaurant known as "Residenz Heinz Winkler" will now be continued in the spirit of Heinz Winkler by his children, grandchildren, the mothers of his children, and his closest confidants. BR was informed by the residence manager that there will be a public funeral service held for the renowned chef. Both the date and the location, whether it be Aschau in the Chiemgau or South Tyrol, have not been decided upon as of yet.


In the meantime, the mayor of Aschau, Simon Frank, also paid tribute to Heinz Winkler's accomplishments throughout his life after he passed away. According to what Frank shared with BR, he has a lot of respect for that. Winkler was a very driven and ambitious individual. He put in a lot of effort. The "residence" emits a glow that can be felt well outside of Aschau and the Chiemgau region. Without knowing the specifics, the mayor has expressed the hope that the "residence" will continue to be used. Since 2009, Heinz Winkler had been recognized by the local government as an honorary citizen.


He was born in South Tyrol, and in the 1970s, he took over the running of the star restaurant "Tantris" in Munich from Eckart Witzigmann. The illustrious Paul Bocuse and Eckart Witzigmann were the ones who first introduced him to nouvelle cuisine. Since 1991 he has been running the "Residenz" in Aschau im Chiemgau.


In 1981, he was honored with the very first star that could be earned in the Michelin Guide. In 1982, when Winkler was only 31 years old, he was recognized as the world's youngest chef to be awarded three Michelin stars at that time. Winkler was the first German chef to be honored with the Federal Cross of Merit, which he received in the year 2001.



Concern has been felt in Aschau im Chiemgau following the news of the passing of the town's famous star chef. The head of the tourist information, Herbert Reiter, is taken aback after discovering some extremely personal words. Reiter stated to the BR-Studio Rosenheim, "I not only valued Heinz infinitely as a person, but also as a host at the highest level."


They only just recently did it, but planting their rose in Aschau with the name "Heinz Winkler" was a very enjoyable experience for them. Heinz Winkler is going to have a permanent presence here at our location. Heinz Winkler was not only a global figurehead with his grandiose culinary art and his gourmet temple, the Residenz, but he was also a doer who is looking for someone who can match his accomplishments.
Previous Post Next Post