Franz Krondorfer, vice president for Hofbräuhaus of America, LLC, has over 30 years of experience in the kitchen. A native of Linz, Austria, Krondorfer received a master chef degree in culinary arts in Germany. By Cindy Charette
Franz Krondorfer, vice president for Hofbräuhaus of America, LLC, has over 30 years of experience in the kitchen. A native of Linz, Austria, Krondorfer received a master chef degree in culinary arts in Germany. After moving to the U.S. in 2003, Krondorfer, along with his three partners, worked together to create a contemporary, streamlined workspace and award-winning kitchen for Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas, which opened in 2004.
Krondorfer’s prior cooking expertise placed him in dining establishments in Munich and London, followed by a sous-chef position on the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship. For over a decade after that, he served as a tenant to the Bavarian State Parliament, presenting elaborate dishes to Bavarian VIPs. Guests who visit Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas now get to experience that same VIP treatment.
When designing the menu for Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas, Krondorfer worked diligently to establish the menu’s authenticity, creating dishes with savory options like schnitzel and sausage, potato pancakes and Obatzda – a traditional Bavarian cheese dip made with cream cheese, paprika and Brie. Krondorfer shared, “I wanted the food here in the U.S. to be completely authentic, exactly the same as a Bavarian kitchen. Nothing on the menu is Americanized. In order to stay truly authentic to that German flavor, we use only the best Bavarian ingredients.” Even the glassware and the dishes the food is served on are true to the German heritage.
Krondorfer said: “Our No. 1 seller is probably the Jaegerschnitzel, which is pan-fried and covered with hunter mushroom gravy. We serve it with bacon on top of it – not hidden in the sauce – so that customers can see the ingredients as they’re enjoying the dish. Our sausages, pork roast, half chicken and pretzels are also very well-received.”
Additionally, Hofbräu beer, which is brewed according to the Purity Law of 1516, is imported directly from the brewery in Munich.
“Our most popular beer is the Hofbräu Original,” noted Jessica Maass, marketing and office manager for Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas. “But our seasonal beers – Oktoberfest, Maibock and Dunkel Weizen – are also very popular among our guests.”
Cindy Charette