Professional chef Nelson Müller (47) faced a major professional challenge in 2025: He relocated his restaurant "Schote" from Essen to Bergisch Gladbach - and temporarily lost his Michelin star. The fresh start at the new location was accompanied by great concerns for him, as he told the "Bild" newspaper. "I was afraid of failing!", confesses the "Küchenschlacht" judge. "I asked myself: What do I tell my people if we don't get the star back?" Since 2011, his restaurant had held the distinction.
Müller further reports initial difficulties: "We had chaos at the beginning." The loss of the star put additional strain on him. "When the star was gone, I naturally fell into a hole", says the restaurateur. He was "extremely disappointed". However, giving up was not an option for him.
Nelson Müller praises his restaurant team
On Tuesday, the TV chef was finally able to celebrate: He received the Michelin star back for his restaurant in the Diepeschrather Mühle. Now he is all the more delighted. "Getting a star anew is almost nicer than simply keeping it", says Müller. Only now has he truly understood "what this star meant to me".
However, Nelson Müller doesn't celebrate the accomplishment alone, but also focuses on his restaurant team. In an Instagram post he thanks his kitchen team, the service staff and everyone "who contributes behind the scenes - this is a team achievement". He is "incredibly proud and grateful", he explains. He also expresses his gratitude to the restaurant guests and his companions along the way.
