Tim Mälzer Reunites with Restaurant Staff with Down Syndrome

Chef Tim Mälzer returns to the screen in a new VOX program, "Zum Schwarzwälder Hirsch – Ein Jahr danach," airing on June 27. The show sees Mälzer reconnecting with the 13 individuals he worked alongside in the 2022 documentary series "Zum Schwarzwälder Hirsch – Eine außergewöhnliche Küchencrew und Tim Mälzer."

The original series documented Mälzer's efforts to train and employ individuals with Down syndrome at his restaurant. This unique inclusion project, supported by Akademie Himmelreich and VOX, garnered significant positive feedback and two Grimme Awards in 2023. The new documentary aims to explore how these individuals have fared in the job market since the project concluded.

The program features one participant, Sophia Blanke, discussing her new employer and career path following the documentary. Actor André Dietz, father to a child with Angelman syndrome, also participates, helping to prepare surprises for Mälzer. As part of RTL Deutschland's "Vielfalt verbindet" initiative, the program seeks to raise awareness for diversity topics.

Following the documentary, VOX will re-broadcast the film "Weil wir Champions sind" (2021), which tells the story of a coach training a team of intellectually disabled athletes, further highlighting RTL Deutschland's commitment to inclusion.