Funeral of Heinz Winkler: Family and friends say goodbye – "We miss you so much"

Created: 11/25/2022 13:06

By: Stephanie Ebner

In the pouring rain, the world of cooking said goodbye to star chef Heinz Winkler (73) in Aschau on Tuesday.

United at the grave: his two ex-wives Evi and Denise and his wife Daniela.

Aschau – With three dark red roses in his hand, Heinz Winkler's youngest son Constantin (14) entered the Aschau village church on Tuesday a few minutes before the funeral service began.

At the side of his mother Denise, Heinz Winkler's second wife, and well shielded from the photographers, who were not allowed to take photos in the church or in the cemetery.

Farewell to Heinz Winkler: The family united at the grave

Only at the weekend did the adolescent say goodbye to his deceased father in an obituary with touching words: “Dear dad, where my life began in your arms, yours ended in my arms.

What remains is the pain I have to endure for this true love.

We miss you so much."

Heinz Winkler's last journey was past his residence in a carriage.

© Oliver Bodmer/Tobias Hase/dpa

"United in dignity and decency" was the express wish of the family.

And so the ex-wives Evi and Denise and still-wife Daniela stood next to each other at the grave.

A sea of ​​yellow roses decorated the coffin and the church.

Son Alexander, together with his wife Kornelia and mother Evi, sent a lavish rosary with the words: "You will always have a place in our hearts."

Heinz Winkler was Germany's youngest three-star chef

It was not only the family who said goodbye to the top chef, who, according to Pastor Paul Janßen, had achieved the highest cooking honors “with diligence, ambition and a great deal of talent”.

At the age of just 28, the native of South Tyrol managed to cook up three stars at Tantris in Munich.

At that time he was the youngest three-star chef in Germany.

United at the grave: the family of the deceased Heinz Winkler.

© Oliver Bodmer

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In particular, companions from the Munich Tantris gave Winkler the last escort.

He is a "role model" for many.

"His recipes and his thinking are carried out into the world by his cooking students," said Tantris kitchen director Matthias Hahn in recognition of Winkler's work.

Hans Haas, who once stood at the stove after Winkler in Tantris, had traveled to the Chiemgau, as had Alfons Schuhbeck.

For Schuhbeck a "self-evident".

Companions of Heinz Winkler say goodbye

Visibly affected by the death of his companion, Eckart Witzigmann, the chef of the century, scaled the Aschauer Kirchberg supported on two sticks.

As the family had requested, colleagues and students appeared in chef's jackets.

After church, the kitchen team from Winkler's “Residenz” stood guard for the former chef.

Came to Aschau: Eckart Witzigmann, chef of the century.

© Oliver Bodmer

Actor Günther Maria Halmer, who was a welcome regular guest in the three-star restaurant, called the deceased a "special person with great visions".

In his speech, the actor recalled the 30th anniversary of the residence last year: At that time, Heinz Winkler "appeared completely satisfied and happy".

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Heinz Winkler has achieved everything in his life

Heinz Winkler achieved everything.

From the poor farm boy from South Tyrol to the top chef.

During his time at Tantris, Winkler developed his Cuisine Vitale, which is based "on old recipes and lots of fresh herbs".

"Food should inspire and not burden", was Winkler's motto in the kitchen.

Now he has embarked on his final journey.

Hopefully “toward luck”, as Pastor Janßen said.

That's what Winkler called his biography a year ago.