Gault & Millau Chef of the Year 2015
It is precisely the tension between the endearingly interior of this inn with its fantastic terrace and what Richard Rauch and his team bring to the plates that make the Steira Wirt of the Rauch siblings so unique. Richard Rauch, widely traveled and culinary trained by the brothers Obauer, Hans Haas and Christian Petz, brings here contemporary culinary art, clear and without frills, but above all with taste to the very last detail.
The Rauch family has managed to make the small village of Trautmannsdorf, which is located in a slightly elevated position next to Bad Gleichenberg, known as a pilgrimage site for gourmets. Richard Rauch understands the balancing act between international top cuisine and Styrian originality perfectly. His sister Sonja Rauch manages the service as well as the wine presentation professionally.
The food is served in the cozy rooms of the 120-year-old Steira Wirts or on the terrace with a sensational view of the southeastern Styrian hills. The setting is framed by a fish tank, herb pots and a wine arbor made from Isabella grapes. By the way, from the terrace you can also enjoy a view of Rauch's own vegetable garden. And then, as soon as you have taken your seat, you are faced with the eternal problem: Do you go for Rauch's experimental and creatively conceived menu, or would you prefer Klachelsuppe or baked cow's udder?
Richard Rauch was born on May 28, 1985 in Feldbach, Styria. After successfully completing secondary school and the provincial vocational school for tourism in Bad Gleichenberg, he completed his training as a chef in his own family business at the Steira Wirt restaurant, where he has been head chef since 2003.
The young chef celebrated his first successes as early as 2005 with the award "Wirt des Jahres" (Wo isst Österreich?/Christoph Wagner) and just one year later with his first Gault & Millau hood.
Boutique hotel & cooking school
Since September 2018, it is now also possible to stay in Trautmannsdorf. The 1913 mansion-style building now houses six double rooms and two suites, as well as a cooking school. Richard and Sonja Rauch's ambition is to pamper their guests all around. And so, in the future, a visit to Trautmannsdorf no longer has to end with the last course, but can also find its completion at breakfast the next day.
Seats inside: 110
Seats outside: 80