Naturally Sylt

So far, Sylt has been particularly popular as a travel destination for Swiss, Austrians, and even some of our Danish neighbors. Have you also noticed that you've heard a lot more English on Sylt this summer? 

Holger Bodendorf: Absolutely. This impression was confirmed this summer in our hotel, but also with bookings for the "Island Food Festival": Some guests will be traveling from the US and Canada to enjoy five days of top-notch food. We have created a wonderful event to make Sylt exciting for guests from all over the world at an unusual time.

Is there a reason why Sylt is suddenly perceived internationally as an attractive destination?

Holger Bodendorf: To be honest, Sylt has landed on the international travel agenda primarily thanks to the Lanserhof. This development is still a delicate plant, but one that is a joy.

If you've never heard of the Island Food Festival, what can you expect? 

Holger Bodendorf: We now have six Sylt hosts. “ Severin*s ,” “ Söl'ring Hof ” with Jan-Philipp Berner, and “ Samoa Seepferdchen ” are all participating again, Jörg Müller is of course an absolute must, and we at “Landhaus Stricker” are joining us for the first time. New to the event is Thomas Samson from the “ Dorfkrug ” in Kampen. All the hosts will be visited by fantastic colleagues, such as Tobias Bätz from “Aura by Alexander Herrmann & Tobias Bätz” at “Söl'ring Hof.” Or, at Jörg Müller's restaurant, Nikos Billis, a Greek Michelin-starred chef with a refined interpretation of traditional dishes, will be a guest. The invited winemakers will accompany the events with their expertise and their wines. Every evening, every festival event is unique. There will also be a joint opening and a joint finale featuring all the hosts. Or, to put it another way: We celebrate five days of relaxed enjoyment, encounters, and friendship with our guests. I always look forward to the event like crazy.

Anyone with the ambition to become a truly good chef will find almost heavenly opportunities on Sylt, with its abundance of excellent restaurants. In "Naturally Sylt," we tell the beautiful and true story of an apprentice who came from Fuerteventura and found happiness on Sylt.

Barcelona football club has undoubtedly influenced countless young people's lives. Juan Esteban Pérez Iglesias 's too , albeit not in a footballing sense. The young man, impeccably dressed as a chef, meticulously recalls how, almost four years ago, in his hometown of Corralejo in northern Fuerteventura, he would have much preferred to watch a Barça match than meet his cousin.

His "primo," Felipe, whom he hadn't seen in years and who worked as a chef on an island in the middle of the North Sea. His mother insisted on seeing him again, and because Juan is such a wonderful guy, he didn't turn her down. So it seemed as fate would have it that the young Spaniard with Colombian roots met his future mentor that evening in a bar: Hannes Hampl, still head chef at Kampen's "Gogärtchen," widely praised for his neo-French style in the kitchen and, in this case, while traveling with his teammate Felipe, Juan's cousin. 

There must have been a lot of talk about good food, because Juan, too, was already a vocation back then. "My dad used to make us arepas (Colombian corn cakes) every Sunday. I was maybe ten when I said, 'Now it's my turn,' and that's when I realized how much joy it gives me to spoil others," the charming young man says, describing the pivotal moment that led to his career choice.

Located in the parking lot between Westerland and Rantum is André Scharnowsky 's " Zauberbude " (Magic Shack). "I only intended to help my father for a limited time. That was 22 years ago. My wife Gaby and I love this place," says the friendly Sylt native , who completed a chef's apprenticeship in fine dining until family ties drew him back to "Schnipo" (a type of schnitzel and fries) and currywurst. But the "Zauberbude" is somehow still "fine dining." Fine dining in a different way. Here, snack bar culture is celebrated like something out of a storybook.

André's path was probably inevitable, as he too was steeped in the magic of the business on his mother's side: "My mom ran the 'cardboard box' in Wenningstedt (note: where ' Twister's ' now offers a variety of burgers and twisted fries on the cliff – also highly recommended)," André explains, describing the family connection. Knowing this, it immediately becomes clear why the small interior of the restaurant is frequented daily by Sylt's unique characters . Like the "cardboard box" back then, the "magic shack" is like a second home for long-time islanders during the summer months, an escape from the seasonal chaos . You don't quite go right to the beach, but at least in that direction.

The "Magic Hut" has been around for 40 years. It wears its annual rings with pride. It's a life's work, even if the Scharnowskys wouldn't call it such a pretentious thing. It's important to them that everyone feels accepted here, just as they come. Whether it's the two tanned instructors from the surf school next door or Ove, the head teacher from the forest kindergarten across the street, everyone comes for a good reason. 

“You always have a nice chat, it’s relaxed, and the fries are nowhere better,” assures Ove, who treats himself to his “Manta Platter” for lunch once a week.

Words can't do justice to this gem amidst the lunar landscape on Lister Weststrandstraße. The "Bam-Bus Bar" has to be experienced. This shack-like, red-brick establishment below the Weststrandhalle is the antithesis of chain restaurants. Perhaps even more unique than unique. And so beautifully colorful. It's not really a snack bar either. It's a bar. The "Bam-Bus Bar," indeed.

It's also a small museum – filled with all the relics from the wild era of its founder, the singing master of ceremonies of the full moon parties , Klaus Bambus . Unforgettable. Many things here also remind us of Ina Müller, the entertainer with Sylt roots: photos, old posters, newspaper clippings. She has always been a friend of the house and decades ago took on shifts here whenever help was needed. Parts of the television documentary for Ina's 60th birthday were filmed here on the terrace. Want to see it? Here: Ina Müller – Loud & Quiet

The current owner, Elli Vogel-Gdanietz , was Klaus's sister-in-law. She is much more than just the guardian of the Holy Grail. Even today, almost 13 years after Klaus's death, people still come and ask about him. But the "Bam-Bus Bar" isn't just about nostalgia: thanks to Elli and her "assistant," Olaf Klodt , the deputy mayor of List, the "Bam-Bus Bar" has been given a new lease on life. It's a favorite haunt for many locals. There's good music, drinks, coffee, chips, and sweet snacks, and on Fridays, Timmi grills. Tim Thielebein, whose tattoos, covering almost his entire head, make him look ten times wilder than he actually is. His barbecue evenings are a huge hit. If necessary, he'll even grill vegetables.