Gastronomy

We are looking for your heartdish for the Mensameal plan!

Are you a regular canteen goer or would you like to spend your lunch break in the canteen more often, but your favourite hearty dish is missing from the menu?

Well, here’s your chance to change that – in the Paderborn Students’ Union recipe competition!

Find out more!

On a silver serving trolley are small bowls containing rice and vegetables

In the entrance area of a canteen, there is a beach flag and an A1 stand bearing the words "Welcome to the Cooking Session!"

Two people are standing facing each other. One of them is chopping an onion

Take part in the StW PB Recipecompetition!

In keeping with the motto „Love goes through the canteen“, every year at the start of the summer term we’re on the lookout for your favourite dish – or better still, the dish that’s close to your heart!

We are looking for the dish that you can't get enough of, the dish that makes your heart beat faster and the dish that is still missing from the canteen menu!

It doesn't matter whether it's one of your family's classics or a new creation of yours, as long as it's your favourite dish!

If your ‘HerzGericht’ impresses our panel of culinary experts, we’ll invite you to a cooking session at the FORUM! There, you’ll be able to prepare your ‘HerzGericht’ right in the FORUM kitchen and then present it to a select panel of judges. This is where the final decision will be made as to which ‘HerzGericht’ will appear on the canteen menu very soon!

The Heart Courts for the Summer term 2026 have been finalised!

From the 6 to 10 July The winning ‘HerzGerichte’ from this year’s recipe competition will be showcased for the first time at Mensa Academica and the FORUM! Come along and try the ‘HerzGerichte’ with your friends!

As soon as the registration period for the next StW PB recipe competition begins, we’ll share all the relevant information with you here!

You can find photos from the last recipe competition on our Instagram account @studierendenwerkpb – Here, we’ll keep you up to date and let you know about all the dates and events organised by the Paderborn Student Services Organisation!

Plates containing various dishes are arranged in a row on a counter

A person is cutting a carrot. Next to it are a pepper and some broccoli.

Seven people are standing in a row in a kitchen, looking at the camera. They are wearing aprons and each has a plate in their hand.

A small bowl of food. Next to it are a fork, a spoon and a feedback form.

Frequent Questions about the recipe competition (FAQ)

Who can take part in the recipe competition?

The recipe competition is aimed at students at Paderborn University, katho with the department in Paderborn and Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences with the campuses in Hamm and Lippstadt. Please note, however, that by participating, you agree to take part in the cooking session at the FORUM on 18 June 2026 if your dish makes it to the final selection.

How do I submit my prescription?

To submit your HerzGericht recipe, simply complete the entry form above (including the list of ingredients, preparation and, if available, a photo) and send it to herzgericht@stwpb.de. Please note that only fully completed forms can be considered for the recipe competition!

When will I be informed whether my dish has been selected?

After our expert gastronomy jury has selected the finalists for the cooking session, we will let you know from 8 June 2026 whether you will be taking part in the cooking session at the FORUM on 18 June 2026 with your HerzGericht!

When does the cooking session take place at the FORUM?

The cooking session in the FORUM will take place on 18 June 2026 from 15:00 - 18:00! Here, the selected finalists will cook their dishes in the FORUM kitchen and learn helpful tips & tricks about cooking from real StW PB canteen chefs! The dishes of the cooking session will be tasted directly by a selected jury in the FORUM and finally judged! This is where the final decision is made as to which dishes will make it onto the Mensa menu!

When will the winning heart dishes appear on the canteen menu?

After the winning HerzGerichte dishes have been chosen at the cooking session on 18 June 2026, they will be presented to the public for the first time from 6 to 10 July 2026 and offered in the Mensa Academica menu! Afterwards you will find your HerzGericht in the Mensa menu! Enjoy the flavour!