Johann Lafer Die Küchenschlacht ZDF rerun, Digi Mart USA News: Johann Lafer is currently appearing on the ZDF cooking show Die Küchenschlacht, but in recordings from 2023. Viewers who followed his cancer diagnosis and exhausting treatment may be surprised to see him with his usual hairstyle and mustache.
The reason is simple: this week ZDF is broadcasting reruns of older episodes. From November 9 to 13, 2026, the show runs a so-called former-contestants week, in which six past contestants prepare dishes that remind them of their childhood.
These episodes were originally broadcast in November 2023, not in the current year.
At that time, Johann Lafer sat at the judges’ table. As a result, the well-known TV chef still appears with hair and mustache in the recordings.
Anyone aware of recent news about his health may be puzzled by his appearance. The explanation is not that he suddenly looks as he did then; viewers are simply seeing older television footage.
At the end of 2023, Johann Lafer was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of lymph node cancer. His condition worsened in early 2026.
He then underwent six cycles of chemotherapy, which took a heavy toll on the 67-year-old. During the treatment, Lafer lost his hair and his distinctive mustache.
The TV chef is now feeling better. He has completed chemotherapy and is currently receiving immunotherapy.
That he looks very different in this week’s episodes is therefore entirely due to the age of the recordings.
After the former-contestants week, Die Küchenschlacht continues with its ChampionsWeek. Starting November 16, 2026, ZDF will show the fifth ChampionsWeek of the year.
One week later, starting November 23, the sixth edition follows. The big annual final is scheduled for mid-December.
During the final judging round, a cell phone suddenly rang in the audience, and contestant Robin Pietsch and judge Richard Rauch responded with a humorous remark.
