Continuing my series on Swiss cantonal specialties, here is a list of 11 foods you should try in Vaud (Waadt in German). There are so many more to discover, but I hope this list helps you get started on your culinary journey of this French-speaking canton. 1. Taillé aux Greubons Greubons is a French word for pork cracklings, the crispy leftovers from rendering lard. In Vaud, you can find cracklings in a Taillé aux Greubons, a thin, rectangular block of puff pastry. Enjoy this savory pastry for a snack or for an apéro with a glass of white wine from Vaud. A Taillé aux Greubon from Boucherie Ogi ..read more

Grandes Tables Suisses welcomed 12 new members during its 2024 annual meeting held at the Bürgenstock Resort. Representing nine different Swiss cantons, these chefs “are characterized by their exceptional professional commitment, their creativity and their constant striving for the highest quality,” according to the association. Mike Wehrle, Culinary Director at the Bürgenstock Resort and a new member last year, hosted current and incoming members at the resort, perched high above Lake Lucerne. The Palace Hotel’s historic dining room at the Bürgenstock Resort. 12 New Members of Grandes Tables ..read more

On a cold spring day, with the ground covered in fresh snow, I arrived at La Ferme des Brandt. Constructed between 1612 and 1614, this historic farmhouse today houses a cozy restaurant well known for its wild game (La chasse) in the fall. Chef Cyril Tribut has been leading the kitchen at this restaurant since 2004. He bakes crusty loaves of wholesome bread, as well as hand-piped meringues, in a wood-fired oven. The Association pour la sauvegarde du patrimoine des Montagnes neuchâteloises (ASPAM) acquired the Ferme des Brandt in 1998. In the wood-paneled dining room, you can see the ..read more

The fifth edition of the ceremony for the Mérite Culinaire Suisse (Swiss Culinary Merit) took place on March 11, 2024, at the Hotel Bellevue Palace in Bern. This national award recognizes excellence in Swiss gastronomy. In addition to the Mérite Culinaire d’Honneur for Chef Carlo Crisci, the jury selected five other chefs and three pâtissiers-confiseurs (pastry chefs and confectioners). Each received a special red scarf establishing them as part of this exclusive group, now comprised of 41 members. The 2024 Mérite Culinaire Suisse laureates with Swiss Fe ..read more

Hotel Waldhaus Sils – A family tradition since 1908. For the 30th anniversary of the St. Moritz Gourmet Festival, 10 chefs who have fittingly earned a total of 30 Michelin stars convened in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley. Hosted by nine participating hotels, these guest chefs traveled from Europe and Asia for 6 days of incredible culinary events, from January 29 to February 3, 2024. The Hotel Waldhaus Sils, one of nine hotels participating in the St. Moritz Gourmet Festival, hosted Stefan Stiller, a German chef based in China. Since 2004, he has been living in Shanghai. This is where you will fi ..read more

Since 2016, I have been publishing my annual Swiss Holiday Gift Guide. My gift ideas are intended for people in Switzerland who love food. I hope these suggestions help you discover some uniquely Swiss holiday gift ideas, all of which can be purchased online for delivery within Switzerland. Here they are, in no particular order: 1. Treegether Baking Chocolate One of my favorite baking chocolate bars comes from Treegether. My friend Laure of Laure’s Kitchen and Chez Papy in Châtel-St-Denis first introduced me to this Swiss company. The recyclable packaging on each bar indicates where your ..read more

On the first Wednesday in November, the Swiss city of Aarau hosts its annual Rüeblimärt (carrot market). With 60 varieties of carrots for sale, the market has over a hundred stands and thousands of visitors. When I arrived at the market just after 7:30 a.m., it was already bustling! When you plan your trip to Aarau, I recommend getting there early. Colorful bunches of carrots for sale at the market. The canton of Aargau is known for growing carrots. One of its most famous is the Küttiger Rüebli, a special white carrot has been recognized as part of Switzerland’s culinary heritage. In 1981, the ..read more

After years of talking about it, I finally rode Switzerland’s Glacier Express train route from St. Moritz to Zermatt. Clocking in at approximately 8 hours, the journey takes you through some of Switzerland’s most beautiful landscapes. Along the way, you can enjoy a 3- or 4-course meal from the comfort of your seat. To help you plan your trip, here are my quick tips. Zermatt, where you can either start or end your journey on the Glacier Express.Buy your train tickets and make seat reservations in advance Unlike a typical train ride in Switzerland, the Glacier Express requires you to not only bu ..read more

In alphabetical order, I’ve compiled a list of those quintessentially Swiss recipes that I think everyone should know about. I hope you’ll discover at least one dish you’ve never heard of before. Or, perhaps you’ve tried them all? What else would you add to this list? Of course, these dishes only give you a taste of Switzerland. There are so many more wonderful foods to learn about from all corners of the country. The Matterhorn, Switzerland’s iconic mountain as seen from Zermatt. 1. Älplermagronen Switzerland’s version of macaroni and cheese is served with applesauce. Some versions of Älplerm ..read more

Looking for an exceptional mountain restaurant in the Swiss Alps near Saas-Fee? Here’s my recommendation—the historic Berghotel Almagelleralp. You can reach this alpine hotel and restaurant on foot via the Höhenweg Almagelleralp (Almagell High-Altitude Trail). With tremendous views and local specialties from Valais, this is a must-visit restaurant during your time in this region. Berghotel Almagelleralp in Switzerland’s Saas Valley region. This trail starts in the village of Saas Grund, which you can access by PostBus from Saas-Fee, for example. You can take a cable car up to the start of the ..read more