Named Australia’s best young chef at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Awards in 2022, German-born and Adelaide-based Robin Wagner took over Executive Chef duties at Aurora – the restaurant located at Adelaide’s art space ILA and been wowing palettes ever since.
This year you’ll find him at Illuminate Adelaide as part of the Winter Forest dining series. The Immersive Table by ILA is a communal dining experience that fuses a a five-course degustation menu set in The Lab – where 50sqm of LED screens and immersive effects transport you to new scenes, each course unfolds in harmony with an evolving visual and sonic journey.
Robin Wagner spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
If we’re talking Australia, I absolutely love Sydney. The dining scene is world-class, the nature walks are stunning, and I enjoy the hustle and bustle—it’s got an energy that really speaks to me. I’m also drawn to cities like London, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, and Munich. They all have something in common: incredible restaurants. Good food tends to lead me wherever I go. That said, I really love Adelaide—otherwise I wouldn’t live here. It’s a great place for a family, and the lifestyle it offers is hard to beat.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
Dining at Memories in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland, was a real stand-out. We visited in 2023, and it was one of the most impressive culinary experiences I’ve ever had. The setting was serene, the service impeccable, and Chef Sven Wassmer’s take on modern Alpine cuisine was both nostalgic and boundary-pushing. It reminded me how powerful food can be when it’s grounded in place and seasonality, yet still completely surprising.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
I’d probably say a non-alcoholic pairing. Not a single drink, but a whole sequence—something creative, full of fresh flavours and unexpected techniques. I like to think that reflects who I am: curious, always experimenting, and drawn to things that challenge the norm.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Kids. You don’t get to sleep in, so the cure is… immediate reality. There’s no time to feel sorry for yourself.
OVERSEAS BAR
The Tippling Club in Singapore. It’s such a unique space—part bar, part fine dining—and every time I’ve been, the experience has been incredibly creative and thought-provoking. They take risks with flavour, presentation, and concept—and more often than not, they absolutely nail it.
FAVOURITE WINE
J.J. Prüm Riesling. There’s something special about those wines—bright, elegant, and layered with complexity. They’re also incredibly food-friendly and just bring people together. I’ve had a few bottles over shared meals and great conversations.
FAVOURITE WINERY
In South Australia, try Samuels Gorge in McLaren Vale. It’s in a beautiful old barn with sweeping views of the Onkaparinga Gorge. There’s a relaxed, welcoming feel to the place, and the wines—especially the Grenache—are just full of character.
NEXT DESTINATION
Hong Kong—there’s so much happening food-wise right now. After that, I’m heading to Europe, with stops in Germany, Spain, and Italy. It’s part travel, part eating tour, naturally. We usually make an effort to visit at least one Michelin-starred restaurant wherever we go—it’s something I really enjoy. The creativity, the detail, the technique… it’s inspiring both personally and professionally. And of course, catching up with special people—friends and family—makes those meals even better.
TOP 3 PICKS AT ILLUMINATE THIS YEAR
City Lights – it’s free, fun, and you can wander the streets and discover some incredible works of light art. Every year it surprises me.
The Botanic Garden – walking through the gardens transformed by sound, fire and light installations is something truly immersive. It feels like stepping into another world.
The Immersive Table – it’s honestly such a unique experience. The team puts a lot of love and detail into each dinner to create something really special. It’s not just about the food—it’s about storytelling, atmosphere, and that feeling of being part of something rare.
