My personal highlights: Understanding that Social Media is getting more importance in the whole gastronomic branch in Switzerland (Read below why) – Tasting probably the best “Cremè Schnitte” ever prepared by the Swiss World Pastry Chef Rolf Mürner

This event is of high importance for many gastronomes in Switzerland. The Champions League of Swiss Gastronomy comes together to celebrate the winners and enjoy a relaxed ceremonious atmosphere. It’s the 14th time, that the Swiss a jury and the audience selects “Best of Swiss Gastro” winners in eight different categories and one Master category. The jury reviewed over 50’000 applications over a period of 3 months.

During the ceremony it has been pointed out several times from the jury, that offering a modern and excellent functioning website as well as active social media presence are crucial to obtain this prestigious award. I am happy to hear, that all the work we do in social media is rewarded and appreciated. People go with the trend, checking the internet before making a reservation is a common attitude nowadays.

144 gastro companies applied for the awards in the following categories:

Activity (gastronomic facilities that offer more than food abut also leisure & Sports, Bar & Lounge, Classic (typical Swiss Cuisine), Coffee, Fine Dining, International , On the move (Takeaway and self-service), Trend (innovative food concepts)

The award trophy is the famous wooden cross. This year the award night took place at Hall 622 in Zurich. Nik Hartmann, the well known and silver-tongued moderator of the Swiss Radio SRF lead just perfect through the evening. The culinary highlight for me was the dessert created by the Swiss World Pastry Chef Rolf Mürner. A dream of a vanilla cream melted on my tongue on a thin and perfectly shaped millefeuille, in between a delicious drop of strawberry jam. The dessert came accompanied by an admirable live played version of purple rain.

Who are the winners of the 8 awarded categories and who is the Master?

Every year there is a category that awards a Master. Only one nominated can reach out for this award. The “Master 2018” went to the Ristorante da Enzo in Ponte Brolla in the beautiful Ticino this year. The evening gave me chance to get an overview about many new and existing spots to discover. I absolutely want to try a truffle Kebab very soon at Ayverdis in Zurich and surely make a trip to Berne to the ice cream heroes called Eiswerkstatt.

Here all winners and category at a glance

• Activity (gastronomic facilities that offer more than food abut also leisure & Sports)
  1. Chäsalp, Zürich
  2. Restaurant Alpenblick, Arosa
  3. Restaurant Eichberg, Seengen
• Bar & Lounge
  1. Atelier Classic Bar, Thun
  2. Bar Ciani Lugano, Lugano
  3. my senses, Dübendorf
• Classic (typical Swiss Cuisine)
  1. Wilder Mann, Zürich
  2. Hirschen Stammheim, Oberstammheim
  3. Landgasthof Wartegg, Wigoltingen/Hasli
  
• Coffee
  1. Milchbar, das Gaumenfreudenhaus, Zürich
  2. Beckeria, Zürich
  3. Einstein au Jardin, Bern
• Fine Dining
  1. Ristorante da Enzo, Ponte Brolla
  2. GUSTAV, Zürich
  3. Restaurant „parkhuus“, Zürich
• International
  1. OOKI JAPANESE IZAKAYA, Zürich
  2. Portofino, Thalwil
  3. Gourmet Restaurant USAGIYAMA, Widen
• On the move (Takeaway and self-service)
  1. Eiswerkstatt, Bern
  2. Geschmacksträger, St. Gallen
  3. Zapote, Californian Burritos & Salads, Zürich
• Trend (innovative food concepts)
  1. SMITH and de LUMA, Zürich
  2. Zur Werkstatt, Luzern
  3. AYVERDI’S, Zürich

Congratulations to all the winners. I am happy to have new food places in Switzerland to discover soon and add them on the Lovefoodish foodguide.