Award 2026/27

The Award
Culinary Ambassadors

An award with clear standards. The Culinary Ambassador of Lower Saxony (Kulinarischer Botschafter Niedersachsen) is awarded on the basis of sensory evaluation, regional roots and transparent production.

Culinary Ambassador of Lower Saxony 2026/27 award seal Culinary Ambassador of Lower Saxony organic award seal
The Award

What distinguishes a
Culinary Ambassador

01
Sensory Excellence
Every product must impress in a sensory tasting. An experienced expert jury assesses taste, texture and aroma, without compromise.
02
Regional Roots
The main ingredients that give a product its flavour and its name come predominantly from Lower Saxony. Verified by the Gesellschaft für Ressourcenschutz (GfRS), an independent certification body.
03
Conscientious Production
Clear ingredient lists, no flavour-enhancing additives (E620–E625). What the label says is what is inside, and nothing that doesn't belong.
04
Product Award
The award may be used exclusively for the winning product. The right of use is granted without time limit, as long as the product's composition remains unchanged.
Assessment

Which criteria
are assessed?

Two dimensions decide whether a product receives the award. Sensory quality is the main focus, complemented by the product concept.

Artisan production: a baker at work
The assessment focuses on sensory quality. In a structured sensory tasting, the expert jury judges appearance, smell, taste, consistency and texture, as well as overall impression and sheer enjoyment. The aim is to honour products that stand out for exceptional flavour.
Complementing the sensory assessment, originality and unique selling point (USP), packaging and presentation, as well as the product idea and its story, feed into the overall assessment.
Read the full conditions of entry
The Jury

Independent. Expert.
Passionate.

The assessment lies in the hands of an independent expert jury. Every submitted product is tasted.

Thomas Wohlfeld, Michelin-starred chef and member of the Culinary Ambassador of Lower Saxony jury
Thomas Wohlfeld
Michelin-starred Chef & Restaurant Manager

Michelin star since 2022. His cuisine at Restaurant Handwerk is built on regional produce, which he selects uncompromisingly by quality and origin.

Kerstin Hintz, Bioland regional managing director and jury member
Kerstin Hintz
Regional Managing Director, Bioland Lower Saxony/Bremen

From field to plate: Kerstin Hintz knows the value chain from her own experience in the restaurant trade and from years of work with producers across Lower Saxony.

Prof. Dr. Daniel Mörlein, Professor of Product Quality and jury member
Prof. Dr. Daniel Mörlein
Professor of Product Quality, University of Göttingen

As Professor of Product Quality, he assesses foods with a trained eye for sensory properties, quality and production: well-founded, precise and along the entire value chain.

Kevin Schneevoigt, food retailer and jury member
Kevin Schneevoigt
Food Retailer, Hanover Region

As a retailer, he stands between producer and customer every day. His team visits suppliers on their farms: at Schneevoigt, regional sourcing is everyday practice.

Karin Tischer, trend researcher and food specialist, jury member
Karin Tischer
Trend Researcher & Food Specialist

Managing director of food & more in Kaarst and one of Germany's leading voices on food trends. She recognises which products capture the spirit of the times.

The Process

How a product becomes a
Culinary Ambassador

1
Application
Producers submit their products online and send samples to the Marketing Association of the Lower Saxony Agri-Food Industry (Marketinggesellschaft der niedersächsischen Land- und Ernährungswirtschaft e. V.).
2
Sensory Tasting
The expert jury assesses every product in a sensory tasting.
3
Origin Verification (GfRS)
The Gesellschaft für Ressourcenschutz verifies the origin of the main ingredients or the place of processing in Lower Saxony.
4
Award
Winning products receive the award with an unlimited right of use.
Culinary Ambassador of Lower Saxony organic award seal Culinary Ambassador of Lower Saxony award seal
Quality Promise

Not a marketing label.
Proof.

The Culinary Ambassador of Lower Saxony award stands for verified quality and traceable origin. It is the result of a structured, independent assessment procedure, run by the MGN and under the patronage of the Minister-President of Lower Saxony.

Apply now (German) Discover the 2026/27 winners

Does your product deserve this award?

Apply now for the 2026/27 competition and show what makes Lower Saxony's culinary culture special.

Apply now (German)