When Hungarian cinema meets gastronomy
The Gundel Ball has become an annual tradition, with each edition telling a different story through a special theme connected to Gundel's heritage or the history of the building.
The 2027 Gundel Ball will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Éva Ruttkai, with its theme also drawing inspiration from Zoltán Latinovits, István Bujtor, Károly Frenreisz and the stories of some of Hungary's legendary artistic families. Together, their stories will connect different eras and generations of Hungarian cultural history throughout the evening. Among the guests of honour will be Károly Frenreisz, Gábor Szigethy, Ruttkai's daughter Júlia Gábor, and Balázs Bujtor, the son of István Bujtor.
Gábor Nagy , founding owner of Eventrend, said:
The Eventrend Group operates a number of historic venues that have been around since long before we were born, from the New York Café and Gundel to the soon-to-reopen Múzeum Café. Our role is to bring these iconic places and the stories behind them closer to people today, while staying true to timeless values such as hospitality and a respect for gastronomy. We can be proud of each of these venues: they are part of Hungarian culture and continue to be important meeting places today.
Jenő Magyari, managing director, added:
This year’s ball was a great success, and we want to continue the tradition in 2027. Once again, we’ll tell a story, this time celebrating Hungarian cinema and some of its most iconic actors. Charity, the traditional debutante performance and a special menu will also return, as these are what give the event its heart and soul.
The Gundel Ball dinner menu will take inspiration from legendary Hungarian films including Eldorádó, The Witness, Szindbád, Mephisto, Oh, Bloody Life! and The Devil Beats His Wife, with each film represented by a different course. Rather than recreating the films literally on the plate, the menu will translate their mood, character and the memories associated with them into food. Classic Hungarian flavours will be reinterpreted in contemporary Gundel style by corporate chef András Wolf and executive chef Róbert Vérten.
On 6 February, the entire Gundel will become a journey through Hungarian film history. Guests will be welcomed by the gold-clad Mirror Men at the entrance, while different parts of the building will take on their own cinematic theme: the restaurant will offer a more classic, elegant musical setting, the ballroom will transport guests into the world of film, the wine cellar will evoke classic casino movies, and the library will recreate the legendary restaurant scene from Szindbád. The evening will also feature live music and ballroom dancing, including the traditional debutantes' opening dance and a performance by the Vegas Showband. The debutantes will once again be prepared by Andrea Keleti, with another chance to take part for young people who applied last year but were not selected.
Personal items for a good cause
The event will also include a charity auction, with several well-known artistic families donating personal memorabilia. Júlia Gábor is offering a dress once worn by her mother, Éva Ruttkai, while Gábor Szigethy has donated a stage prop featuring Zoltán Latinovits from a production of Henry IV. Balázs Bujtor, meanwhile, is contributing a trophy connected to his father's sailing career. Darabanth Auction House will conduct the auction free of charge, with all proceeds going to the Kátya Tompos Foundation. Eventrend Group and Gundel will also contribute an additional HUF 500,000 to the cause.
Gundel beyond City Park
Alongside the programme for the 2027 ball, Gundel also unveiled changes to itsGundel Event & Catering business, which has undergone a major upgrade in recent months. The nearly HUF 30 million investment aims to bring Gundel's distinctive style beyond the restaurant itself, with a newly designed buffet table, new serving and warming equipment, finger-food accessories, a drinks counter and a larger-capacity catering system. The new setup is fully customisable , allowing it to be adapted to different events and locations.
Benkő Márton rendezvényigazgató elmondta:
The first event here that we could consider a Gundel catering occasion dates back to the late 1930s, when King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy visited. We wanted the new design to reflect this nearly 100-year history of hosting events. We chose the garden gate as a key visual element because it is so closely associated with Gundel and its long tradition of hospitality.
The new look was created in collaboration with WAFT Studio and Ildikó Hergenrőder, replacing the previous classic white aesthetic with something more colourful and contemporary. Antique-gold details and rounded shapes feature throughout, along with the iconic Gundel sign found above the entrance to the restaurant's garden. The entire system is designed to be quick to set up, easy to transport and flexible enough to adapt to different events.
A refreshed catering menu
The new catering menu gives familiar Hungarian dishes a contemporary presentation. The selection includes Újházi chicken soup, Gödöllő-style stuffed chicken leg, mangalica pork tenderloin with spinach and blue cheese potato dumplings, and butter-roasted sturgeon with saffron and Parmesan risotto, alongside a vegan vegetable curry.
András Wolf , Corporate Chef, said:
We bring the Gundel experience to many different locations, but the quality, style and approach to hospitality remain the same. Innovation has always been part of Gundel, and always will be, so we’ve refreshed the menu as well.
Róbert Vérten , Executive Chef, added:
It was important for the dishes to look fresh and modern, too. We’ve kept the elements that are characteristic of Gundel while also paying close attention to what guests are looking for, so alongside Hungarian classics, the menu includes international dishes and options for different dietary requirements. We offer several catering packages, but we’re also happy to accommodate individual requests.
With the new system, Gundel can cater for up to three events of around 100 guests at the same time. The next goal is to expand capacity further, allowing the team to cater independently for events of up to 500 people.
Whether it's a wedding, corporate event, embassy reception or celebration at a castle, the aim is to bring not only Gundel's food and hospitality to the occasion, but also its distinctive character, adapted to each setting. The idea is to keep the 130-year-old name firmly connected to the present - not simply as a piece of Budapest history, but as a living tradition .
Gundel is backed by the professional and operational expertise of Eventrend Group, whose portfolio includes more than 30 projects and nearly 25 hospitality businesses. Among them are the New York Café, Centrál Café, Spoon The Boat, Főőrség Café, Városliget Café, Séf Asztala and Symbol, as well as catering services at Müpa. The group is also preparing to reopen Múzeum Café soon.
(Cover photo: Major Kata - We Love Budapest)
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