The art of precision: Inside the world of N25 Caviar

Image - Hermes Gehnen. All images courtesy of N25 Caviar. 

The founder and managing director Hermes Gehnen frequently visited Michelin star restaurants around the world during his studies in university. When he discovered that the best caviar is farmed in China, coupled with his passion for fine food, Hermes went on the search for the best sturgeon farms.

Experimenting with the maturation process with a refrigerator in his dorm room, Hermes developed and
refined his unique method for ageing caviar that enhances and highlights the elegant natural flavours of
caviar. Over the years, the style has been refined and made even more elegant and pure.

From then on, the brand gained global recognition from countless acclaimed chefs and industry figures: N25
Caviar became a symbol of excellence in the haute cuisine world. Today, the brand operates from its
headquarters and laboratories in Germany and its caviar is served at over 200 Michelin-star restaurants across
the globe.

​More Than Caviar: The Community Behind N25

At first glance, N25 is known for producing some of the world’s most exceptional caviar. But for the chefs who work with the brand, N25 represents something more, a global community built on shared values, long-term collaboration, and a deep respect for craft. Whether in London, Munich, or Singapore, N25 has created a network where chefs feel supported, inspired, and genuinely connected.

Bringing Chefs Together: The 4 Hands Dinners

A signature part of this vision is the brand’s four-hands dinners. Curated culinary collaborations that bring together N25 chef ambassadors with peers from around the world. These events are not just showcases of talent, but also acts of exchange, friendship, and discovery.

Recent examples include:
● Dorian x Ynyshir, a bold, flavour-forward meeting of minds in London
● Ikoyi x JAN, blending the precision of Jan Hartwig with the innovation of Jeremy
Chan
● Tisane x Cycene, a dialogue between two emerging voices in contemporary dining

Each of these dinners becomes a moment of cultural crossover, powered by shared creativity and the subtle salinity of N25 caviar.

Quote from Max Coen, Dorian
‘’N25 is a supporter of sourcing the best and most unique base ingredient, then applying the
same thinking to this to achieve a unique result that no others can match. This is very similar
to the way we work at Dorian. For us every tin is complex, perfect and full of flavour. A trait I
would use describe to the food at Dorian.’’

Beyond the kitchen, N25 nurtures its network through informal gatherings that allow chefs to simply connect, unwind, and celebrate each other. In January 2024, the brand hosted a Chef Social at BiBi in London, gathering longstanding clients and friends around a tasting menu that honoured the start of a new season. A year later, Tuna Fight Club provided the setting for another memorable event, with caviar, sake,
and good energy flowing in equal measure.

Quote from Chet Sharma, BiBi

‘’What sets N25 apart is Hermes’s meticulous caviar maturation. Eggs are shipped to
Germany, cured, then aged at sub-zero temperatures with species-specific precision,
sometimes for months. Select clients can have caviar aged to their specifications. At my first
tasting with Hermes, I discovered flavours in caviar I hadn’t known existed.
Working with N25 means joining a community built on passion, precision, and respect for
quality. The partnership is personal, with options to age caviar to clients’ specifications,
reflecting trust and collaboration.N25’s story, from sourcing specific farms to a patient ageing
process, aligns with values of authenticity and sustainability. Being part of the N25
community means embracing excellence, innovation, and a shared vision to elevate fine
dining through caviar.

These are not typical industry events, they are ‘’family-style’’ moments. A way to say thank
you, stay connected, and remind everyone that behind every tin of caviar is a group of
people who care deeply about what they’re building.

A Community, Not a Client List
For N25, excellence in caviar is only the beginning. What defines the brand is its commitment to building something lasting with the chefs it works with. The collaborations are genuine, the events are personal, and the goal is clear to create a community where quality, trust, and vision are shared.