Chef of the Month
Irina Pachler
Das Markthof – Farm. Restaurant. Ethos.
A portrait of das Markthof in Siegersdorf – and the quiet precision of Irina Pachler, who gives the last word to patisserie.
There are kitchens that open with a bang. And there are those that end with a whisper – and say more than the loudest courses before them. Das Markthof is a place for the latter. A farm, a restaurant, a concept with an ethos. And a team that understands responsibility not as a buzzword – but as a matter of course.
At this place, Irina Pachler is responsible for the finale. But in fact, she does much more than that.
A farm as a stage, not a pedestal
In the middle of Siegersdorf, on the Edhofer family’s property, an old hunting lodge was transformed into a new stage for regional product cuisine. Much of what is cooked comes from their own farm or from trusted local producers. Animal welfare, vegetable diversity, artisanal processing – these are not just claims here. It’s everyday life.
The dishes at Markthof are clear, but never cold. Reduced, but never empty.
Whether braised beef cheek, pumpkin variation with lovage oil or char fillet with apple and kohlrabi – here, dishes are not composed, but curated.
Every ingredient has a reason. Every texture has an intention.
And in the midst of this ensemble: Irina Pachler. Her dishes come last – but they often carry the common thread that holds the menu together.
Carrot Hazelnut Bergamot
by Irina Pachler
The Patisserie: Where everything comes together
Irina Pachler is a patissière, not a decorator. Her desserts speak not the language of sugar, but that of balance. Her creations are not dessert breaks, but culinary epilogues – they summarize what has been said before, and at the same time open a new window.
What stands out: the courage for tranquility. No superfluous crunches. No dust traces on the plate. Instead: freshness, acidity, bitterness, umami.
And sometimes: a tiny, green accent.
In patisserie, too, Herbeus Greens play a role. Not as decoration, but as an aromatic punchline.
A hint on the lemon cream. A fresh contrast to the malt mousse. A connection between nature and technique, soil and idea.
“We deliberately use the greens where freshness and clarity are needed – without staging them conspicuously. They should play along, not disturb.”
The fact that they come from Austria fits the house’s self-image: regional, traceable, uncompromising in quality.
Why Das Markthof stands on the stage of perfection
Because a team cooks here that doesn’t stage itself – but engages. Because Irina Pachler shows that the last word is often the strongest.
And because perfection is not about everything shining – but about everything belonging together.
Das Markthof is not a lighthouse.
It is a place that shines – from within itself.
