Marco Gerlach

Restaurant Manager and Sommelier at the Ammolite

“I always wanted to do something that makes people happy, and no amount of effort is too great for that” says Marco Gerlach in a good mood. The 31-year-old has managed the fine dining restaurant ‘Ammolite - The Lighthouse Restaurant’ located in the lighthouse of the ‘Bell Rock’ since its opening three years ago. “Of course, it was our goal to make this gourmet restaurant renowned as such, but to have received two Michelin stars in such a short period of time is really an outstanding achievement”, something that makes the certified restaurateur very happy, who then adds: “Everything worked well from the beginning, and there continues to be great teamwork between the kitchen and service. I value the honest and puristic kitchen of our two-Michelin-star chef Peter Hagen.” But it is not just the excellent dishes that clinch the stars, the service also has to be flawless.

To fulfil the guests every wish without being imposing is something Marco Gerlach arranges with his team in a very warm and natural manner. “We are a small team, two trained staff, two in training and me. It is important to me that everyone retains their personality; I do not like standardised approaches to welcoming guests” says Gerlach who, at the beginning of 2015, completed his certified German Chamber of Commerce training as a sommelier as best-in-class. The man of great tastes finds the right wine for every dish. “Our guests are very happy to take the accompanying wine from the menu, giving them that certain wow effect,” explains the sommelier. He discovered his love of wine during his time at the restaurant Schwarzer Adler in Oberbergen when working for Melanie Wagner, and now shares it at the ‘Ammolite’ with his guests.