At first glance, you might not link fine food and high watchmaking, but the two have much more in common than you would think. Although they exist in distinct worlds, requiring different skills and tools; both are driven by the same values. Take a five-course meal, for instance. It is the finished product of countless ingredients, numerous trials (and errors!), hours of preparation and the coordination of a busy kitchen. All for that perfect, mouth-watering plate of edible art in front of you.
You might already know all of this if you have watched The Bear. The TV show depicts the constant chaos and pressure that comes with culinary excellence (and dysfunctional family relationships, but that’s another story). If you haven’t watched it yet, I can highly recommend it (the one-shot season 1 episode 7 is pure genius, but I digress). Like Carmy (the chef played by Jeremy Allan White) likes to say: “Every second counts.” Sound familiar?
The intricate process in haute cuisine mirrors watchmaking at its highest level (though perhaps without the flames and yelling). The world’s top chefs constantly push boundaries to create fresh flavours and culinary experiences, just as watchmakers strive for perfection, crafting complex, precise creations small enough to sit on our wrists. Both worlds thrive on craftsmanship, respect for tradition and a passion for excellence.
As Laurent Gardinier, Chairman of Relais & Châteaux, puts it: “Precision of gesture, the quest for harmony and the demand for quality are shared in the kitchen as they are in a manufactory. The assembly of hundreds of sometimes microscopic pieces is akin to weighing to the nearest gram, fine-tuning sauces or cooking to the minute.”
With over 30 years of collaboration with the finest Michelin-starred chefs, Blancpain shares a special relationship with haute gastronomy. The brand’s love for fine dining knows no bounds; it counts more than 100 stars among its friends and is the timekeeper for several culinary contests. In 2020, Blancpain officially partnered with the world-famous Michelin Guide, to promote their love for expertise, passion and excellence.
A Delicious Partnership
The Michelin Guide awards are a huge deal in the world of fine dining and are often referred to as the Oscars of gastronomy. WorldTempus was fortunate to attend the Michelin Guide Switzerland 2024 ceremony on October 21 at the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), where the country’s newest Michelin-starred restaurants were honored. It was an exciting day with many notable moments, starting with all four Michelin three-star restaurants retaining their awards (Memories in Saint Gallen, Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl in Basel, Restaurant de l’Hôtel de Ville in Vaud and Schloss Schauenstein in the Grisons). Two new restaurants gained a second star (Colonnade in Lucerne and The Counter in Zurich) and six joined the one-star list (Orsini in Zurich, Villa Sommerlust in Schaffhausen, Arakel in Geneva, The Dining Room in Zug, F.P. Journe – Le Restaurant in Geneva and Maihöfli by UniQuisine in Lucerne). Finally, 10 restaurants were awarded the Bib Gourmand.
Blancpain’s Young Chef Award
Blancpain also had the pleasure of presenting the Young Chef Award, a prize given to the most promising chef under the age of 35. The idea behind this award is to inspire and encourage young chefs to perpetuate the culinary art. This year’s award went to Gilles Varone, the 29-year-old chef of his eponymous restaurant in Savièse, Valais. With his wife Letizia, Gilles runs a modern and seasonal kitchen that has already earned him accolades, including a Michelin star and a green star for his efforts in sustainable gastronomy.
Bon Appétit
The day continued with a spectacular gala dinner prepared by five renowned chefs, including three Michelin-starred ones: Michèle Meier (1*), Lucrèce Lacchio (1*), Olivier Jean (2*), Julien Boutonnet and Marc Turcas from the EHL. If the oohs and aahs from the guests were any indication, each dish was a hit. The first-year students from the EHL were on hand, providing impeccable service throughout the evening.
As the night drew to a close, the students lined up in their white aprons, creating a tunnel for the chefs to walk through on their way to the stage, under the thunderous applause from the audience. It was an unforgettable evening, showcasing the excellence that defines the partnership between the Michelin Guide and Blancpain.
If all this talk of haute cuisine and delicious food has made you hungry, you can explore the full list of Michelin Guide Switzerland 2024 winners and dining recommendations here.
