Stellar 2-Michelin Star chef Christian Kuchler of the highly acclaimed Taverne zum Schäfli in Wigoltingen, Switzerland, entered into a partnership with Boutique Hotel Alhambra & Villa Augusta.
Doing nothing is not an option! Stellar 2-Michelin Star chef Christian Kuchler of the highly acclaimed Taverne zum Schäfli in Wigoltingen, Switzerland which ranks among the top restaurants in the world, used his time during lockdown to embark on an exciting new project. He entered into a partnership with Boutique Hotel Alhambra & Villa Augusta. The location of his new venture is the most luxurious hotel on the island, the award-winning Boutique Hotel Alhambra & Villa Augusta, a Virtuoso hotel and member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. A striking architectural work of art blending the historic charm of a sophisticated Spanish Art Nouveau villa with contemporary design, its 51 rooms and suites offer a breath-taking view of the turquoise-blue Adriatic Sea one of the most beautiful spots on the island. The partnership was conceived and sealed by Swiss CEO Peter Schoch of Jadranka turizam which owns and operates a portfolio of classic and luxury hotel properties under the Lošinj Hotels & Villas brand, as well as a number of camp sites on the island.
Christian Kuchler has taken on a refreshing approach towards the engineering and re-designing of menus to bring an elevated dimension to enhance the guest’s dining experience at the Hotel’s signature restaurant Alfred Keller as well as the rest of its food and beverage operation. The Thurgau native will be returning to his home base “Schäfli” after the lockdown while Michael Gollenz, an Austrian native and a stellar young talented chef who has worked closely with culinary masters such as “Chef of the Year” Stefan Heilemann, has been hand-picked as the resident Executive Chef to oversee the kitchen operation and continue to implement Christian’s culinary vision for Alfred Keller and Hotel Alhambra. The two luminary culinarians are close allies in trade as well as in private life who share a passion in gastronomy and a common vision to reach for the stars.
“A stroke of luck”
Christian Kuchler has been in Croatia regularly over the past few months and is passionate about his new venture.
“It’s a stroke of luck for me. I’ve never seen such an amazing place and the resort is just so beautiful! The infrastructure for us chefs is perfect – Mediterranean cuisine with a light Asian touch is the order of the day. And fresh seafood from the bay – just picture a fisherman going out with a harpoon and gets us what we need for the menu in the evening! How cool is that!” said a beaming Kuchler with excitement.
The portfolio of the Luxury Collection of Lošinj Hotels & Villas that CEO Peter Schoch runs consists of a second five-star hotel on Čikat Bay –Hotel Bellevue, a stylish hotel comprising of an award-winning Spa Clinic, 185 rooms and 21 suites, with two successful restaurants, Bava, offering fine Croatian cuisine, and Matsunoki, the one and only-of-it-kind Japanese restaurant on Croatian islands.
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