News from Berlin

Berlin, 9 April 2024 – Preparations for the 71st Federal Press Ball are in full swing, centred around the theme ‘For Freedom of the Press: Protecting Democracy’. This year’s event marks the eighth time it will be hosted at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. The culinary concept for the Federal Press Ball, held during the annual ball night at the Federal Press Conference, will feature an extraordinarily diverse culinary world tour that promises to take guests' palates on a journey to all the continents of the world.

The iconic hotel, which just a few days ago won the international World MICE Award as Germany's best event hotel for its successful event management, once again demonstrates its talent for perfectly organising top-class major events.

Karina Ansos, the Managing Director of the hotel, alongside Christina Reschke, serving as the Deputy Event Manager orchestrating the event at the Adlon, are once again looking forward to the exciting evening. ‘The Federal Press Ball with around 2,400 illustrious guests, lavish catering and varied entertainment set in a glamorously decorated ambience is a logistical masterpiece every year, which our entire team works towards with great motivation and is very proud of. From our Brasserie Quarré to the 1907 restaurant, and from the Bel Etage to the Palaissaal, we are well prepared and look forward to this very special annual highlight full of unforgettable moments with our guests’, both hotel experts agreed.

Kitchen Director Stephan Eberhard, alongside Eric Kissmann, who oversees the banquet kitchen, and the culinary teams spanning all areas of the Adlon, present a diverse array of traditional national specialties from every continent for the approximately 1,900 strolling guests in the public areas on two floors. European offerings include Maultaschen with veal and braised onions, Raclette Cheese Au Gratin with sucuk and potatoes and Borscht with lemon and crème fraîche. Meanwhile, North American snacks showcase popular cult favourites: Crispy Chicken Fingers with coleslaw, Cesar Salad and Mac and Cheese with fried onions. African cuisine is authentically represented with aromatic specialties such as Kufta with couscous and mint, Fufu with vegetarian stew and Fish Curry with chilli and coconut milk, complemented by cotton candy on chocolate trees in various colours and oabika cocoa bean pralines with cocoa bean juice. South American delights include Pachamanca Braised Lamb with sweet potato and beans, Shrimp Ceviche with jalapenos and Empanadas with spinach and avocado. Additionally, the ‘spirited continent’ offers fruity-sweet highlights such as three varieties of Hellado de Paila sticky ice cream, accompanied by its best-known party drinks: Caipirinha, Margarita and Rum Cocktail.

Lovers of the finest sushi can anticipate a generous array of the seafood classic, prepared live in front of their eyes in the Fireplace Room. Adjacent to it, freshly shucked rock oysters are served with cheddar bread and vinaigrette.

In the Brandenburg Room, guests can marvel at extraordinary edible works of art: pieces resembling the Berlin Wall, crafted from pecan brownie and salted caramel. These creations, which are designed with Berlin Wall motifs on edible paper and sprayed in vibrant colours, can be personally signed by guests using a food colouring pen. This culinary masterpiece is the collaborative effort of 13 Adlon pastry chefs under the expert and creative direction of Chef Patissier Steffen Holle.
At the same time, the team led by Swiss Chef Reto Brändli of the Lorenz Adlon dining room, recently awarded two Michelin stars again, will present a gourmet menu created exclusively for over 400 additional VIPs at the Federal Press Ball. The menu features Pea and Mint Foam Soup with flamed scallops, Glazed Veal Cheek with green asparagus and Raspberry and Verbena Delice with rhubarb sorbet for dessert.

When Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the wife of the Chairman of the Federal Press Conference, Regina Kramer, along with Chairman Mathis Feldhoff and Elke Büdenbender, the wife of the Federal President, dance the traditional opening waltz at 9:00pm, the glittering ball night also takes its course on the dance floor until the early hours of the morning. Those who wish can take advantage of the professional photo service at the Adlon to capture their most beautiful moments as a memento. To ensure everyone looks their best, a professional cosmetics team is also available for quick make-up touch-ups.

Facts and figures about the 71st Federal Press Ball at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin: 

• 4,500 Oysters
• 2,000 portions of Currywurst with approximately 100 litres of Adlon-made Curry Sauce
• Over 100 kg of Fresh Fish and Seafood
• 90 kg of Rack of Lamb
• 45 kg of Beef Kofta
• 12 kg of Pulled Beef
• 2,000 Finest Tartlets in various flavours
• 450 Mini Chocolate Trees
• 750 Handmade Macaroons
• 30 kg of Passion Fruit
• 1 kg of Aromatic Tahitensis Vanilla Pod

 

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About Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin:
The iconic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is located in the very heart of Berlin, right next to the famous Brandenburg Gate. Its unique location, legendary history, opulent furnishings and décor, as well as a service above and beyond impeccable, make the Hotel Adlon Kempinski ideal for leisure travellers and the perfect venue for social and corporate events. The hotel has 307 luxurious guest rooms, 78 exquisite suites, three restaurants and a magnificent spa and wellness area designed to attract the most elite guests from all over the world.

About Kempinski Hotels:
Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group. Kempinski’s rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties. Today, the Kempinski Group operates 84 hotels and residences in 36 countries and currently has more than 26 prestigious projects under development around the globe. Each five-star hotel reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage; each imbues the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts and prestigious residences. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands. www.kempinski.com · www.ghadiscovery.com

Media contact:
Sabina Held • Director of Public Relations 
Tanja Freytag • Public Relations Executive 
Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin
Unter den Linden 77 • 10117 Berlin • Deutschland 
T +49 30 2261 1703 • M +49 172 6526102
[email protected] • kempinski.com/adlon 
[email protected]