Tartar of tuna and Vitello Tonnato, as an intermediate course braised ox cheeks on fine cabbage, then a sous-vide cooked saddle of venison with a very special sauce and finally a warm chocolate cake: the appetite comes just reading about it. Especially when this de-luxe menu is created under the guidance of a star chef, as regularly happens in "Stern*s Kochwerkstatt" of the Romantik Hotel Zum Stern in Bad Hersfeld. Top chef Patrick Spies gives cooking courses here, where even amateur chefs can feel like a star gastronome for once.

For example, Thomas Hahn (50) and his wife Katharina Bolender (35) from Bad Hersfeld, to whom a friend gave the cooking course as a wedding present in July. "At the beginning, the participants were divided into small teams," Thomas Hahn explains the procedure. He and his wife took care of the starters, the aforementioned tartar and the wafer-thin slices of veal. All participants had received the corresponding recipe beforehand. "Patrick Spies and his staff gave valuable tips and advice on the respective courses for everyone," said Thomas Hahn.

The ingredients were provided by the restaurant of the Romantik Hotel. And they were - according to the claim of the course - first class: "It really had star level," says Thomas Hahn. The ambitious recreational chef, who has already completed numerous courses, still raves about the sauce that was served with the main course of saddle of venison: "I could have drunk it! The secret of the star-worthy taste experience lay in the addition of chocolate balls. "That gave the sauce a very special touch."

Patrick Spies also handed out craft tips in his course: how do you prepare a saddle of venison before cooking it? What is the easiest and most effective way to remove tendons? Here, the master chef was able to give the couple many useful tips to take back to their own home kitchen. Everyone found the conviviality and teamwork of cooking together particularly pleasant. Looking over each other's shoulders, helping out, toasting with excellent wines - there was a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere the whole time.

The cooking course in the star kitchen - for the couple a very special evening full of inspiration with a great teacher. The nice thing is that family and friends also benefit from the new knowledge - when they cook and enjoy it at home.