President of the Central European Union of Chefs’ Associations

Daniel Schade (Berlin) is a leading figure in the international culinary community. He serves as President of the German Chefs’ Association (VKD), after previously holding the role of Vice President for the Eastern Division (2017–2021). During his presidency, he hosted and organized the IKA/Culinary Olympics in 2020 and 2024.

An active VKD member since 2009, Schade has contributed across state and industry associations, regional teams, and committees. Beyond his leadership roles, he is an experienced chef and freelance instructor, specializing in training and developing the next generation of master chefs.

Schade currently serves as President of Chef G5, the Central European Union of Chefs’ Associations. He has judged numerous national and international competitions worldwide and is a member of the Worldchefs Culture, Cuisine and Heritage Committee.

Meet the Culinary Jury Members of the ECA Live Cooking Competitions at HACE 2025