A new chef reaches the starry sky
The young Fricktaler Sven Wassmer received the 3-star award for the first time in the “Michelin Guide” with the “Memories” restaurant. And there is also a new record.
Switzerland’s newest 3-star chef: Sven Wassmer at the launch ceremony of the current “Michelin Guide” in Lausanne.
Photo: Raphael Moser
Sven Wassmer and his team from the “Memories” Grand Resort Bad Ragaz can now decorate themselves with three “Michelin” stars. That’s the big news – and also a bit of a surprise at the award ceremony for the “Michelin” stars in Lausanne. This places Wassmers Memories in the ranks of only 138 restaurants worldwide that have been awarded three Michelin stars.
Wassmer was overcome with tears at first, then brought his team on stage and said, “A dream come true.” And then he thanked his wife, his children and his team with very beautiful and almost flowery words.
Wassmer’s treasure chest is the Alps: he cooks “powerfully and close to nature”, writes “Michelin Guide”. The 36-year-old also received a green star for environmentally friendly gastronomy.
“A dream comes true”: Wassmer bursts into tears at the award ceremony.
Photo: Raphael Moser (Tamedia)
Yes, the new “Michelin Guide” is here: a total of 546 restaurants, including 138 star restaurants, are recommended by inspectors in the world’s most important gastronomic guide. In Switzerland, a new 3-star restaurant, 5 new 2-star restaurants, 30 new 1-star restaurants and 34 new Bib Gourmands – restaurants with “special cuisine” will be added. The outstanding sustainability commitment of 11 new restaurants is also recognized with the “Michelin” Green Star.
Andreas Caminada said he was already nervous two days before.
The three previous Swiss three-star hotels were able to hold on: Peter Knogl in the Cheval Blanc (Hotel Trois Rois, Basel), Franck Giovannini from the Restaurant de l’Hôtel de Ville in Crissier VD and Andreas Caminada at Schloss Schauenstein (Fürstenau GR). Incidentally, the latter is indirectly represented three more times: Ines Triebenbacher of the 2-star restaurant Igniv Zurich by Andreas Caminada received the special “Service Award”. The chef de cuisine of the vegan restaurant Oz in Fürstenau, Timo Fritsche, received a “normal” star and a green “Michelin” star. And Daniel Zeindlhofer, also from Caminadas Igniv, can decorate himself with two stars for the first time.
Of course, these awards are not for the big ones either: Andreas Caminada said he was already nervous two days before.
Franck Giovannini in the town hall in Crissier,…
Photo: Odile Meylan (»24 hours»)
With the four chefs, the density of 3-star chefs in Switzerland (8.6 million inhabitants) is higher than almost anywhere else in an international comparison. In Germany (with 83 million inhabitants) there are only 9 bosses with the same rating. In France, there are at least 31 restaurants for every 67 million potential gourmets.
Five new two-star
Among the 25 Swiss restaurants with two “Michelin” stars, the guide counts 5 new ones this year – an increase of 20 percent. One of the newcomers occupies a special position: Skin’s the Restaurant in Lenzburg AG with chef Kevin Romes. As a new addition to the 2022 selection, it made the jump to two stars shortly after opening.
“Sustainable cuisine is nothing new.”
The following restaurants were also awarded two stars: the two seasonal sister restaurants La Brezza in Arosa GR (open in winter) and in Ascona TI (open in summer) – the chef of the two restaurants is Marco Campanella. The Igniv Zurich by Andreas Caminada with head chef Daniel Zeindlhofer also received two stars for its “Fine Dining Sharing Experience”. Roots in Basel now also has two stars, where Pascal Steffen and his team focus on vegetables.
30 restaurants have been newly awarded a star, and the guide has an unprecedented total of 109 one-star restaurants in Switzerland.
What are green stars?
The green star of “Michelin”, the award for sustainable gastronomy launched in January 2020, indicates restaurants that stand out through their commitment to the protection of the environment and the conservation of resources. This year’s increase of 11 new Greens to a total of 29 shows the industry’s growing awareness of this topic. Even though environmentally friendly cooking is part of everyday life in many places – or as Sven Wassmer put it: “Sustainable cooking is nothing new. Gastronomy has been practicing it for hundreds of years.»
About two weeks ago, another Swiss with “Michelin” stars made history: The Eleven Madison Park in New York daniel hum received three stars. It is the first vegan restaurant ever to receive this award.
In Switzerland, the Kle restaurant in Zurich, led by chef Zineb Hattab, is a pioneer: it is the first purely vegan restaurant in this country to be awarded a Michelin star. (collaboration: boo)
See the full list here.
Did you find an error?Report now.
