New Year's Reception 2026: Vienna celebrates in the well-filled Sopherl!

New Year's Reception 2026: Vienna celebrates in the well-filled Sopherl!

On January 20, 2026, an exciting evening took place in Vienna that was all about networking and culinary enjoyment. Over 500 guests from business, media, politics and culture gathered at Naschmarkt for this year's LEADERSNET New Year's reception. Not only was the start of a new year celebrated, but also the exclusive VIP reopening of the “Sopherl am Naschmarkt”. Leadersnet reports that the event took place both in the LEADERSNET office area and in the newly designed SOPHERL restaurant.

This New Year's reception was much more than just a gathering of people. The mix of culinary highlights and exciting entertainment made the evening unforgettable. Guests enjoyed a wide selection of modern finger food with Viennese and Asian influences as well as a candy bar with classics from Niemetz and Manner. The drinks menu was also impressive, including gin variations, wine from the Schmidt winery, Schlumberger sparkling wine and coffee cocktails from café+co.

Entertainment and celebrity guests

A highlight was the live music by entertainer Andy Lee Lang, who entertained the evening with lively sounds. In addition to him, other prominent guests were also present, including cathedral priest Toni Faber, Peter Hanke, Martina Salomon and many more. Leadersnet highlights that the event was organized by Paul Leitenmüller, CEO of the Opinion Leaders Network, and was intended as a sign of entrepreneurial future enthusiasm and open encounters.

But it wasn't just the Naschmarkt where the celebrations took place. At the same time, the New Year's reception of the Gastronomy Club Vienna took place in the “Gleis//Garten”, where the motto “Golden Twenties” was announced. Numerous players from the gastronomy and tourism industry also came together here to exchange ideas about current trends and innovations. The musical accompaniment was provided by the band “Michael Mold & the Jazzophoniker”. Hello in Vienna reports on a varied program with the awarding of the “Golden Cloche” to a top chef and a tombola that, among other things, offered cooking workshops with Gerhard Zadrobilek as prizes.

Exchange and networking

Both events promoted exchange among participants and made it possible to make new contacts. While the focus in the “Sopherl” was on culinary delights, the New Year’s reception in the Gleisgarten offered a platform for ideas and best practices in gastronomy. The chairman of the gastronomy club, Thomas Peschta, welcomed over 250 guests and emphasized the importance of such events for the industry. Gast.at emphasizes that the focus was on networking with colleagues and partners in the catering industry as well as the presentation of new products and services.

Overall, January 20, 2026 was an evening full of inspiration and highlights that revitalized the frequency of Viennese gastronomy and set the course for a successful season. The impressions and photos from the evening are available in several galleries - the ideal look back at a social event that will be remembered.