German television: Cooking show debates and program cancellations

The German cooking competition “Grill den Henssler” is currently airing its 2026 Summer Specials, recorded in Magdeburg. The series features chef Steffen Henssler competing against various celebrity guests, including singer Julian Sommer and Isi Glück, with professional coaches like Mario Kotaska.

A recent Mallorca-themed episode sparked significant debate among the judging panel. Joachim Llambi criticized Henssler’s paella, stating it was “tasty, but not typical” and lacked authenticity, leading to a disagreement with fellow jurors Jana Ina Zarrella and Alexander Herrmann, who favored the chef’s version.

Separately, singer Joelina Drews has publicly criticized the decision by SWR to cancel the long-running show “Immer wieder sonntags.” She described the move to replace the traditional program with digital offerings as a “big mistake,” arguing that younger audiences are already firmly established on streaming services.