News from Berlin

Roger van Damme launches the pop-up Afternoon Tea season with Belgian waffles crafted from a secret recipe

 

Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is adding a delightful highlight to the autumn season with the launch of its new Guest Pastry Series. The inaugural edition, taking place on 19 and 20 September 2026, welcomes Belgium-based master pastry chef Roger van Damme, who was named World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2017 and gained international acclaim through his former Michelin-starred restaurant, Het Gebaar.

For one select weekend, guests at the Bel Etage can look forward to a specially created Afternoon Tea experience in place of the classic Adlon Afternoon Tea. Presented as a refined five-course menu, this unique edition showcases a selection of Roger van Damme’s signature creations.

An Afternoon Tea Inspired by a Tasting Menu 

Exclusively for these two days, Roger van Damme and Adlon Executive Pastry Chef Steffen Holle have joined forces to create an exceptional Afternoon Tea menu. Surrounded by the aromatic scents of fine teas, each course takes guests on a culinary journey through imaginative compositions and spectacular desserts that unite the signature styles of both pastry chefs, combining the artistry of Belgian pâtisserie with the Adlon’s refined culture of indulgence.

One of the menu’s masterpieces is Roger van Damme’s legendary interpretation of the Belgian waffle, replacing the traditional scones in this unique Afternoon Tea concept. The internationally acclaimed pastry chef spent five years perfecting his closely guarded recipe. Describing the result as ‘A Piece of Art’, the waffles are deliciously crispy on the outside and exceptionally light and fluffy within. Artfully refined in both sweet and savoury variations, he has already impressively demonstrated the versatility of his iconic creation. The experience concludes with Roger van Damme’s signature desserts alongside two of Steffen Holle’s new autumn creations. 

Van Damme’s celebrated waffles – often served in Antwerp with light, creamy, and fruity toppings such as fresh berries and flowers – will be featured for the first time outside of Belgium exclusively at the Adlon as one of the highlights of the afternoon tea menu this September. His savoury delights will include a refined tuna sandwich with duck liver mousse, an exquisite lobster soup, and, as the main course, slow-cooked, tender Thai-style chicken with noodles in a pepper velouté and celery chutney. Following that, his unforgettable dessert selection — featuring a succulent orange cheesecake with vanilla panna cotta and mango coulis, an intricately decorated chocolate ring with yuzu-mandarin-orange compote, and a tiramisu variation with caramelised chocolate, among other exquisite creations promise to delight both hotel guests and Berlin residents alike. 

‘I’m not satisfied until every plate is a perfect composition. When I see how much guests enjoy my creations, I know I’ve done it right,’ says Roger van Damme, describing his culinary philosophy.

International Pâtisserie Meets Berlin Grandeur 

Born in Sluis, the Netherlands, Roger van Damme is regarded as one of Europe’s most innovative pastry chefs. His culinary education included training at the renowned Richemont School in Switzerland and Bellouet Conseil in Paris. He was also invited on several occasions to observe in Ferran Adrià’s legendary kitchen at El Bulli. Through his former restaurant, Het Gebaar in Antwerp, he helped shape Belgian haute cuisine for more than two decades and was named Chef of the Year by Gault&Millau in 2009.

For several years, he also curated the acclaimed Afternoon Tea concept at Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp, where he first met Christian Hirt, now Managing Director of Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. It was during this time together that the idea for the Berlin pop-up was conceived. Alongside his international guest appearances, Roger van Damme develops premium pâtisserie concepts for leading food companies, is a member of the culinary team at the renowned Tomorrowland festival and leads the newly established Académie Roger van Damme in Schoten, Belgium. There, he conducts workshops, masterclasses and live cooking demonstrations, sharing his passion for pâtisserie with both professionals and ambitious culinary enthusiasts.

As a welcome gesture from the hosting hotel, guests visiting on 19 and 20 September will also enjoy a pumpkin and saffron tartlet with apricot gel, accompanied by a light blackcurrant and plum mousse on hazelnut dacquoise – both featured on the Adlon Afternoon Tea’s new autumn menu – which perfectly complements Roger van Damme’s creations. Vegan guests will be treated to specially adapted menu options upon request. A dedicated children’s version of the Adlon Afternoon Tea is also available, featuring favourites such as a miniature Adlon currywurst, a polenta ladybug topped with a tomato ‘shell’ and black sesame ‘dots’, a cucumber flower with lemon pearls and a colourful apple dessert with pumpkin and coconut cream, raspberry coating and sprinkles.

Pop-Up Afternoon Tea Special Edition with Roger van Damme at A Glance

• Date: 19 and 20 September 2026
• Starting: From 13:00 onwards
• Where: Bel Etage, Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin
• Price: EUR 79 per adult for the five-course menu, EUR 39 per child
• Optional: From EUR 89 per person, including a glass of champagne
• Includes: Five-course Afternoon Tea menu, tea and coffee specialities and tea-infused beverages

Following the pop-up weekend with Roger van Damme, the classic Adlon Afternoon Tea returns to Bel Etage every Thursday to Sunday, from 14:00 to 17:00. Reservations can be made by telephone on +49 30 2261 1959, by email at [email protected] or online via the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin website https://www.kempinski.com/de/hotel-adlon/restaurants-bars/bel-etage/reservierung-bel-etage.

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About Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin
The iconic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is situated in the heart of Berlin, right next to the famous Brandenburg Gate. Its unique location, legendary history, opulent furnishings and décor, as well as a service that goes 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. The luxurious Hotel Adlon Kempinski has already been honoured with prestigious awards – most recently, the renowned Condé Nast Traveller included the Adlon, as one of only two hotels in Germany, in its new Triple Crown list as Berlin’s most glamorous address and best hotel.

About Kempinski
Established in 1872, Kempinski Group is Europe’s oldest luxury hospitality company. 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 75 hotels and residences in 33 countries and has more than 25 prestigious projects currently 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 one 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 • www.kempinski.com/loyalty

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