Zermatt-Magazin-23

Food | Zermatt Magazin
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Zermatt has long been classified as one of the most prominent culinary
hotspots in Valais. Right at the very back of the Matter Valley, food
enthusiasts can get their money’s worth by indulging in some of the
high-calibre cuisine that the mountain village has to offer.
Rösti, Raclette or Älplermagronen (macaroni
and potatoes with cheese) are the culinary
specialities you are likely to imagine
are plated up in a Swiss alpine village. Not
to mention the cosy taverns draped with red
and white checked curtains, wood carvings
and a blazing fire. Zermatt has plenty of
rustic taverns like this, but it has way more
to offer than just simply good Swiss cuisine.
Here, you can travel around the culinary
world. From Japanese to classic French or
even Mexican cuisine, the choice is endless.
There aren’t as many Gault-Millau restaurants
in any other Swiss holiday destination
as you will find in Zermatt. You can even
enjoy exquisite dining in one of Zermatt’s
many mountain restaurants. So, if you’re
only expecting to find basic dishes catering
to tired skiers and hiking enthusiasts, then
think again! Prepare to be pleasantly surprised
as when it comes to food, Zermatt
certainly sets the bar high.
The key to Zermatt’s sensational and delectable
cuisine is, of course, it’s use of seasonal,
regional, and fresh produce alongside
the ingenious creativity and skill which finetunes
each dish. An example of where you’d
be met with such delights is at the cheese
dairy "Horu-Käserei". Zermatt’s cheese
tradition is as old as the alpine agriculture
at the foot of the Matterhorn. However,
in the second half of the 20 th century, this
branch of the economy became a victim of
centralisation in the dairy industry, and in
1950, the last Zermatt cheese dairy ceased
operations. In 2003, Mirjam and Reto
Gobba-Wyrsch revived the cheese making
tradition with their "Horu-Käserei". It all
started with seven cows. Today the family
business produces up to 500 litres of milk
per day.
Sensational, aromatic, creative, pure, locally
sourced, and different: the variety of
restaurants in Zermatt is truly spectacular.
Visitors can enjoy a taste of a different
country each day of the week.
And how do you bring Zermatt’s top caterers
together and give international foodies
an extraordinary experience? With a food
festival. Thanks to the support and cooperation
of 21 excellent Gault-Millau restaurants
and hotels, the first Swiss Food Festival
took place in August 2011. In 2018, the
Swiss Food Festival became the "Taste of
Zermatt", bringing together all of Zermatt’s
culinary events under one roof.
One of these events is the Kitchen Party,
which brings together the top 20 chefs of
Zermatt, who hold a total of 298 Gault-Millau
points, to cook together. At this event, it
can get pretty hot in the kitchen as the chefs
all prepare various delicacies in front of the
festival-goers across 20 different stations.
Those who like it sporty can’t miss the
"Horugüet Bike". This guided e-bike tour
is perfect for foodies who like being on the
move. Or, if you’re after a more leisurely affair
then the "Horugüet Hike" is the one for
you. It goes by the motto "Munch and meander
whilst marvelling at the Matterhorn."
The "Horugüet" also takes place in winter.
For those who fancy enjoying a cheese fondue
high in the skies, then the "Gondola
Fondue" is for you. For early birds and
high-flyers there is also the option to enjoy
the "Gondola Breakfast". At the "Taste of
Zermatt" there’s something to whet every
appetite. It is fair to say that Zermatt has way
more to offer, than just it’s magnificent views
of the Matterhorn. Enjoy a sensational meal
whilst marvelling at the mountain views.
Melanie Biaggi