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. The “Severin*s", the "Söl'ring Hof“ with Jan-Philipp Berner, the “Samoa Seahorse“ is back in the game, Jörg Muller Of course, we as “Landhaus Stricker” are definitely not to be missed. Joining us for the first time is Thomas Samson from Kampen’s “Village pubAll hosts receive visits from outstanding colleagues, such as Tobias Bätz from "Aura by Alexander Herrmann & Tobias Bätz" at the "Söl'ring Hof." Jörg Müller also hosts Nikos Billis, a Greek Michelin-starred chef with a sophisticated interpretation of traditional dishes. The invited winemakers accompany the events with their expertise and their wines. Every evening, every festival event is unique. There is also a shared overture and a shared finale for all the hosts. Or you could put it this 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.

The Barcelona football club has certainly influenced countless young people’s lives. Juan Esteban Pérez Iglesias, albeit not football-wise. The young man, in his immaculate chef's outfit, meticulously recalls how, one evening almost four years ago, he would much rather have watched a Barça match in his hometown of Corralejo in the north of Fuerteventura than met 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.

At the parking lot between Westerland and Rantum is the “Magic booth" from André Scharnowsky"I actually only wanted to support my father for a limited period of time. That was 22 years ago. My Mrs. Gaby and I - we love this place,” says the friendly Sylt residents, who completed a culinary apprenticeship in fine dining until his family's calling brought him back to "Schnipo" and currywurst. But the "Magic Booth" is still somehow "upscale." Upscale in a different way. Here, Picture-perfect snack culture celebrated.

Andrés path was probably inevitable, because it was also covered with booth magic on his mother's side: "The Wenningstedter "cardboard box" (note: where today the "Twister's“Am Kliff offers a variety of burgers and twisted fries - also highly recommended), which my mom made,” André explains the family structure. Knowing this, it’s immediately clear why the small interior of the restaurant is used daily by Sylt unique pieces Like the “cardboard box” back then, the “magic booth” is like a second home for native islanders during the summer months, a Vanishing point in the seasonal chaosYou don't go all the way to the beach, but at least you get there.

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.

About this A gem in the middle of the lunar landscape Words are not enough to describe the location on Lister Weststrandstraße. You have to feel “Bam-Bus Bar”. The booth-like, red-bricked restaurant below the Weststrandhalle is the diametrical opposite of chain restaurants. Perhaps a little more unique as unique. And so beautifully colorful. It's not really a snack bar either. It's a bar. The "Bam-Bus Bar," in fact.

She is 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 BambusUnforgettable. Many reminders of Ina Müller, an entertainer with Sylt roots, are also found here: photos, old posters, newspaper clippings. She was always a friend of the house and, decades ago, took over shifts here when 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 landlady, Elli Vogel-Gdanietz, was Klaus's sister-in-law. She is much more than the guardian of the Holy Grail. To this day, almost 13 years after Klaus's death, people still come and ask about him. But the "Bam-Bus Bar" is not just nostalgia: Thanks to Elli and her "assistant," Olaf Klodt, the deputy mayor of List, the "Bam-Bus Bar" has once again Upgrade It's a favorite hideaway for many locals. There's good music, drinks, coffee, chips, and sweet snacks, and on Fridays, Timmi grills. Tim Thielebein, who, with his tattoos almost up to his head, looks ten times wilder than he is. His barbecue evenings are a hit. If necessary, he'll even grill vegetables.