Success for Zauner apprentice Aaron Windhager at the JuniorSkills 2026

BAD ISCHL / LINZ – There is great joy at the Zauner confectionery over the success of confectionery apprentice Aaron Windhager: At the JuniorSkills competition of the Upper Austrian confectioners on May 20, 2026, the talented young confectioner achieved an excellent 2nd place.

The competition is considered one of the most important platforms for young professionals in the confectionery trade. Under intense time pressure, the 15 participants had to demonstrate their skills in various disciplines – including the artistic design of celebration cakes, chocolates, and marzipan figures. In addition to technical precision, creativity, taste, and presentation were also evaluated.

Aaron Windhager, who completed his apprenticeship at the traditional Zauner confectionery in Bad Ischl, impressed the expert jury with his craftsmanship and passion for the confectionery trade. His ranking places him among the best up-and-coming confectioners in Upper Austria.

„We are very proud of Aaron and his outstanding achievement. His success impressively demonstrates how important dedicated support for young talent and sound training in the skilled trades are,“ says Managing Director Philipp Zauner.

The Zauner confectionery has a long tradition of training young professionals and has been one of the most renowned confectionery businesses in Austria for decades.

With his success at the JuniorSkills, Aaron Windhager sets a strong example for the future of the confectionery trade and confirms once again the high quality of training at Konditorei Zauner.

Austria's best family business: Zauner Confectionery

BAD ISCHL / VIENNA – On May 27, 2026, the prestigious "Austria's Best Family Businesses" award was presented at the Sofiensäle in Vienna. For the 26th time, family businesses were recognized for their innovative strength, economic stability, and responsible management. The jury particularly commended the successful combination of living tradition, craftsmanship, and future-oriented business development.

The Zauner confectionery has established itself as the most successful family business in Austria. The prestigious competition is organized in cooperation with Bankhaus Spängler, BDO, the Austrian Chamber of Notaries, and the daily newspaper "Die Presse".

„This award fills us with great joy and gratitude. It is a recognition of the work of many generations as well as the commitment of our entire team, who are there for our guests and customers every day with passion and the highest quality standards,“ said Philipp Zauner, Managing Director of Konditorei Zauner.

The history of the family business dates back to 1832. Today, the confectionery is run by the seventh generation and, with its specialties – above all the famous Zaunerstollen – is one of Austria's most renowned traditional businesses. At the same time, the company consistently focuses on innovation, sustainable growth, and the further development of its product range.

The competition is now considered one of the most important business awards in the country.

Sweet milestone: 10 million Zaunerstollen produced

To this day, Zaunerstollen is handmade in Bad Ischl according to a closely guarded original recipe – known to only a handful of people and kept in a safe – and shipped halfway around the world. What once began as a creative way to use up leftovers has long since become one of the most famous souvenirs from the imperial city – a piece of Bad Ischl "to go," so to speak.

200,000 units per year – the 10 million mark was broken in May.
Around 200,000 Zaunerstollen leave the bakery every year. Based on historical records – dating back to 1905 – the exact date could be determined: the ten millionth Zaunerstollen was sold in May. "Our bestseller has been in demand for decades – and is more popular today than ever," says Philipp Zauner, who runs the traditional confectionery in its seventh generation. During the research into the sales figures, the original cast-iron mold for the Zaunerstollen from the early years was also rediscovered – a piece of living company history.

A taste of the Salzkammergut
„The Zaunerstollen is far more than a world-famous – and above all, award-winning – pastry: it is a piece of Upper Austrian identity and a culinary ambassador of the Salzkammergut region far beyond our borders. The fact that the ten millionth Zaunerstollen was produced this May impressively demonstrates how deeply rooted tradition, quality, and hospitality are in Upper Austria. The Zaunerstollen and the Zauner confectionery represent that unique blend of culture, enjoyment, and lifestyle that makes the Salzkammergut so internationally unique,“ emphasized the economic advisor.
and Tourism Minister Markus Achleitner during the presentation of the anniversary piece in the form of a sculpture.

„The Zaunerstollen and the region’s pastry culture exemplify what makes the Salzkammergut so internationally attractive: authentic enjoyment, time-honored tradition, and the highest quality. They ideally complement our core holiday themes – from hiking and cycling to mountain and lake experiences, culture, and relaxation. It is precisely this combination of activity and moments of indulgence that makes a stay holistic and unique. Culinary delights thus become a crucial competitive factor and contribute significantly to positioning the Salzkammergut as a culturally rich and pleasure-oriented destination both domestically and internationally,“ says Frank Jost of Salzkammergut Tourism Marketing GmbH.

Mayor Ines Schiller conveyed her congratulations: „A special moment for our city: Today, the 10 millionth Zaunerstollen is being presented at the traditional Zauner confectionery. The Zaunerstollen is far more than a delicious specialty – it is a piece of Bad Ischl's history and an ambassador for our city far beyond its borders. For generations, the Zauner family has stood for the highest quality, tradition, and craftsmanship. I warmly congratulate the Zauner family and the entire team on this impressive milestone.”

From cult pastry to art object
To mark the anniversary, the Zaunerstollen itself became a work of art for the first time: Artists Michael Ferner and Martina Kreuzer created "s'Zaunerl," a unique and humorous sculpture. The Zaunerstollen is personified – borrowing elements from its characteristic shape and complemented by arms and legs made of chocolates.
„We’re breathing life into the Zaunerstollen and making it stand on its own two feet. Inspired by chocolate and nougat dreams, the s’Zaunerl looks as if it has just stepped out of the baking tin,“ Michael Ferner describes the idea. „With its hands, it forms a heart and gives itself away as a gift.“
The sculpture combines traditional confectionery craftsmanship with contemporary art and is conceivable in various designs and materials – from sealed in gold to colorfully glazed. "A brand ambassador with collector potential," say the artists.

Golden „s’Zaunerl“ raffled off and ceremonially presented
To celebrate the sale of the ten millionth Zaunerstollen (a traditional German Christmas cake), a commemorative sculpture was gilded and raffled off among customers. The lucky winner, Herbert Haid from Kitzbühel, received the golden "s'Zaunerl" (a small, golden Zaunerstollen) on May 12th and was also given an exclusive behind-the-scenes look. The prize was rounded off with a stay at the Hotel Grand Elisabeth, a gondola ride up the Katrin mountain, and dinner at the Grand Café & Restaurant Esplanade – a true "Very Best of Bad Ischl" experience.

The origin: Ingenuity meets craftsmanship
The history of Zaunerstollen dates back to 1905: At that time, bakery manager Josef Nickerl was looking for a way to make good use of the broken pieces of communion wafers left over from baking. His solution was as simple as it was ingenious: He
He mixed the leftovers with a hazelnut chocolate mixture, spread it onto wafers and formed small macarons from them.

This idea quickly developed into a bestseller. The recipe was refined, the mixture poured into loin-shaped molds and coated with dark chocolate – the Zaunerstollen was born. Long before "zero waste" became a trend, Zauner was already committed to sustainable resource use.

„"A piece of living history"“
„The story of our best-selling product began with a handful of broken wafers. From this arose a sweet rescue mission – and ultimately our Zaunerstollen,“ says Philipp Zauner. „Today it is a piece of living history and Austrian pastry culture.“
The Zaunerstollen is now available in various versions and sizes – from 22.5 grams as a petit four to 700 grams – and also with milk chocolate icing.

(c)Ebihara / Auer

Zauner goes West: kuk Hofzuckerbäckerei opens pop-up store in Innsbruck

Spanning 40 square meters at the RAIQA, Zauner presents a curated selection of its most popular specialties – from the legendary Zaunerstollen to the finest confectionery, adapted to each season. During the Advent season, for example, visitors can look forward to an atmospheric "Zauner Christmas World": featuring high-quality Advent calendars, traditional Christmas pastries, and exclusive New Year's lucky charms – quality that can not only be seen but, above all, tasted. Each product is meticulously handcrafted with extensive experience, a delicate touch, and a love for detail in the bakery in Bad Ischl. The selection is complemented by a special visual highlight: an artfully designed display piece from the Zauner bakery offers a glimpse into the company's renowned confectionery artistry.
The offer is aimed at both locals and the numerous national and international guests who visit Innsbruck year after year – and who would like to take a piece of Austrian pastry culture home with them.

„"We make Bad Ischl a tangible experience"“
„With the pop-up store in Innsbruck, we are consciously taking a first step westward – and at the same time, our first outside of Bad Ischl,“ explains Philipp Zauner, who runs the family business in its seventh generation. „We want to show that the unique combination of tradition, craftsmanship, and quality can also be experienced in a new location. Especially in a time when so much is mass-produced, it is important for us to demonstrate what true handcraft means. Our products bear the signature of our pastry chefs – and that is precisely what makes them so special. The magic of our homeland cannot be copied – but you can taste it. And that is exactly what we are bringing to Tyrol.“

The choice of location is no coincidence: RAIQA represents a modern, flexible usage concept with innovation and urban dynamism – ideal conditions for a traditional building that is consciously evolving. Tyrol and the Salzkammergut region also share a common understanding of quality, craftsmanship, and living tradition. "The people of Tyrol have a keen sense for genuine quality – and that's precisely what we've stood for for generations," says Zauner.
RAIQA also sees the collaboration as a strong signal: Having a traditional company like Zauner as the first pop-up tenant underscores the ambition to create a new, vibrant meeting place in the heart of Innsbruck. "With the pop-up store, we've created an open space at RAIQA for new concepts and special brands that constantly provide fresh impetus. We're particularly pleased that we were able to secure Zauner confectionery for this," explains Christof Splechtna.

With "Zauner goes West," the hotel embarks on an exciting pilot project in its 194th year – one that connects past and future. For the people of Innsbruck, this means one thing above all: they can look forward to an extraordinary opening and delightful culinary experiences otherwise only found in Bad Ischl. "The Salzkammergut region is visiting Tyrol. And it's bringing its best with it," says Philipp Zauner.

Four gold medals for the Zauner confectionery at the BÄKO confectionery competition 2026

BAD ISCHL – The Zauner confectionery can celebrate an outstanding success at this year's confectionery competition for bakers and confectioners: The traditional company was awarded the gold medal four times.

Furthermore, three products achieved group victory:

*Chocolate bar „Almond-Pistachio“ in the category filled bars (min. 50g) – chocolate filled in the form of bars or tablets with 100 points
*Cut praline „Mandarin-Pecan“ in the cut praline category (max. 20g) with 99 points
*Truffle „Empress Elisabeth“ in the truffle category (max. 20g) with 96 points

The "Pistachio-Raspberry" cut praline also achieved the gold medal with 98 points.

The award-winning products reflect both the company's long-standing experience and its innovative strength.

„These awards are a great honor for us and confirmation of our daily work. Our special thanks go to our chocolate sommelier Andreas Schögl, who created the products with passion,“ said Philipp Zauner, Managing Director of Konditorei Zauner.

The BÄKO Confectionery Competition is one of the most important events in the industry and annually recognizes outstanding achievements in the confectionery trade. The four gold medals underscore Konditorei Zauner's leading position within the industry and confirm its high quality standards.

The expert jury, led by KommR. Mst. Leo Jindrak and Mst.in Brigitta Schickmaier, evaluated the works according to a strict 100-point system, in which, in addition to the appearance, taste and craftsmanship were particularly important.

The "Almond-Pistachio" chocolate bar is already part of the Zauner confectionery's product range and can be purchased at https://zauner.at/produkt/pistazie-vollmilch-milchschokolade/ as well as at the main store in Pfarrgasse.

The „Empress Elisabeth“ truffle was created especially for the Hotel Grand Elisabeth in Bad Ischl and is used there as a welcome gift for guests.

In the photo: Philipp Zauner, managing director of Konditorei Zauner, and chocolate sommelier Andreas Schögl

Austria's best eggnog comes from Bad Ischl

BAD ISCHL – Great joy at Zauner: The traditional Zauner egg liqueur has been awarded the title of best egg liqueur in the country at the prestigious Falstaff Egg Liqueur Trophy. This victory sees the product prevail against numerous high-quality entries from across Austria, confirming the outstanding quality of the company.

At the top of the egg liqueur rankings is a trio: Two German manufacturers and the egg liqueur from the Zauner confectionery share first place with 96 points.

The Falstaff jury, comprised of experienced experts, evaluated the following criteria: taste, consistency, aroma, and overall impression. Zauner egg liqueur impressed with its subtle scent reminiscent of fresh sponge cake. Not too thick, yet surprisingly robust, with a lovely hint of vanilla. Falstaff described its rich yellow appearance, with visible pieces of vanilla bean, as "a perfect example, albeit with a punch.".

„This award is a great honor for us and at the same time a confirmation of our daily work,“ says Philipp Zauner, Managing Director of Konditorei Zauner. „We place the utmost importance on high-quality ingredients, traditional recipes and careful production – the fact that this has now also been recognized by Falstaff as the best egg liqueur in the country makes us very proud.“

The award underscores the importance of regional products and production. The eggs are sourced from the Reither organic farm in Regau. Zauner's confectionery requires approximately 400,000 eggs annually. The dairy products come from the regional Gmundner Milch dairy.

The results were published in Falstaff Recipes magazine just in time for Easter.

However, there's no reason not to enjoy this creamy drink year-round. The eggnog is available all year in the shop on Pfarrgasse in Bad Ischl and online at www.zauner.at.

In the photo: Philipp Zauner, managing director of Konditorei Zauner, and pastry chef Greg Thaniseb

120 Years of Zaunerstollen – A Sweet Legend Celebrates Its Birthday

BAD ISCHL – In 1905, the now world-famous Original Zaunerstollen was created by the then head baker, Josef Nickerl. It is still produced today according to the original recipe and using traditional methods at the Zauner confectionery in Bad Ischl and is now shipped all over the world.

The Zaunerstollen has significantly shaped the Austrian patisserie and pastry tradition and has become a sweet icon of Bad Ischl.

To celebrate its 120th anniversary, the Zauner confectionery is presenting a special competition. By registering and participating, you can win the ten millionth Zaunerstollen, expected to be produced in mid-2026, in a special golden edition. (More information and terms and conditions of participation can be found at zauner.at/gewinnspiel-zaunerstollen)

„The Zaunerstollen is a piece of living history and Austrian pastry culture,“ says Philipp Zauner, Managing Director of Konditorei Zauner, who runs the confectionery in its seventh generation. „We are incredibly proud to be celebrating its 120th anniversary. We want to celebrate this occasion properly with our customers and friends and look forward to announcing the winner next year.“

In addition to the ten millionth anniversary stollen in the 120-year history, there is a unique package with many surprises to be won that cannot be bought – only won!

Today, as in the past, Zaunerstollen is a sought-after souvenir from the imperial city – not only for visitors from all over the world, but also for confectionery lovers. Whether in the traditional confectionery shop on the Esplanade, at the original shop in Pfarrgasse in Bad Ischl, or shipped worldwide: Zaunerstollen connects generations and remains a sweet piece of Austrian culture.

The Zauner confectionery is looking forward to the next 120 years of the sweet Bad Ischl legend.

Zauner employee residence extension

The history of the Zauner confectionery dates back to 1832 – a success story that has stood for master craftsmanship, innovation, and family values for almost two centuries. Continuous development and expansion have always characterized the Zauner company's entrepreneurial approach.
In recent years, increased investments have been made in creating modern and comfortable employee accommodation. The largest of the three employee accommodation locations, the Zauner Employee Residence in the center of Bad Ischl, has now been successfully expanded by 12 units of varying sizes. All units have their own kitchen and have been built to an exceptional standard.
„Even though it is difficult to create enough space for the required units in the center of Bad Ischl, it is very important to us that our employees can live within walking distance of their workplace. With this expansion, we are creating additional capacity and achieving a very high quality of living for our team,“ emphasizes Managing Director Philipp Zauner.
In just eight months of construction, the existing building was expanded by approximately 450 square meters and a 45 kWp photovoltaic system was installed, which now feeds valuable electricity into the company's own energy community. Currently, nearly 501,030 tons of the Zauner confectionery's total electricity consumption is covered by its own production. This represents a further step towards sustainability and responsible business practices.

Andreas Schögl is Bad Ischl's first chocolate sommelier

BAD ISCHL – With passion, expertise, and a great deal of finesse, Andreas Schögl, master confectioner at Konditorei Zauner, has made history: He is the first certified chocolate sommelier from Bad Ischl. This year, for the first time in Austria, the state-recognized training program for chocolate sommeliers was offered to confectioners. The new advanced training program launched in February as a collaboration between the Academy of German Baking in Weinheim and the Food Academy.

As part of his project work, Andreas Schögl visited the Leopold Hasner School in Bad Ischl and took the children on a delightful journey of discovery into the world of chocolate. Together, they tasted various types of chocolate, engaging all their senses. "It was very important to me to convey the fascination and diversity of chocolate in a playful and sensory way," said Andreas Schögl. "Children, in particular, react without prejudice and with honesty – that made the tasting especially valuable."„

The dedicated confectioner Andreas Schögl has not only further developed his own professional repertoire, but also enriches the Zauner product range with a very special creation: As part of his further training, Andreas Schögl has developed an exclusive hazelnut chocolate.

But the new specialty is not only a treat for the palate, but also a contribution to a good cause: Part of the sales proceeds will benefit the Leopold Hasner School in Bad Ischl. Furthermore, the Zauner confectionery will double the proceeds. With this initiative, the Zauner confectionery, together with Andreas Schögl, aims to demonstrate its social responsibility and specifically support children and young people in the region, for example, by funding speech therapy or school facilities.

Confectionery manager Philipp Zauner is proud: „It’s impressive how much dedication and innovative spirit Andreas showed in completing this training. We are especially pleased that we can now present the fruits of his labor to our guests and at the same time do something good for Bad Ischl.“

The new hazelnut chocolate is now available in the Zauner confectionery shops and in the online shop at www.zauner.at – as a special moment of enjoyment, a gift idea and a sign of lived regional responsibility for the children of the Leopold-Hasner-School.

On October 21, 2025, Philipp Zauner, together with his wife Verena and chocolate sommelier Andreas Schögl, visited the Leopold-Hasner School and presented the new chocolate to both the director Theresa Schögl and the children.