March 6, 2023 • 0

7 Laureates Selected for Mérite Culinaire Suisse 2023

The fourth edition of the ceremony for the Mérite Culinaire Suisse (Swiss Culinary Merit) took place on March 6, 2023, 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 Gérard Rabaey, two pâtissiers-confiseurs (pastry chefs and confectioners) were also selected along with four other chefs. Each received a special foulard (scarf) establishing them as part of this exclusive group, now comprised of 32 chefs.

*The foulard (scarf) presented to winners of the Mérite Culinaire Suisse prize.*
Source: Mérite Culinaire Suisse. Fondation pour la Promotion du Goût.

In January 2023, a jury of 15 chefs and journalists from Switzerland’s different linguistic regions gathered at the École Professionnelle Montreux. Organized by the Fondation pour la Promotion du Goût, this award has been presented annually since 2020. The winners are Swiss chefs that have a distinguished career, both actively working and those who have retired. For the past four years, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin has announced the winners. Each time this event has taken place at the historic Hotel Bellevue Palace, the official guesthouse of the Swiss government.

*The lobby of the historic Hotel Bellevue Palace in Bern, Switzerland.*

Mérite Culinaire d’Honneur

Gérard Rabaey – During his time at Café du Pont in Brent (VD), Mr. Rabaey was named Chef of the year twice by GaultMillau, which also awarded his restaurant 19 out of 20 points. Furthermore, his restaurant had earned three Michelin stars, which he maintained until his retirement in 2010.

*Mérite Culinaire laureates and jury members, past and present, with Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin.*

Four Chefs Earn Mérite Culinaire Prize

In addition to the special distinction presented to Gérard Rabaey, Mérite Culinaire Suisse also selected four chefs to join its new cadre of laureates.

Dominik Hartmann – Magdalena in Rickenbach (SZ)
Silvia Manser – Restaurant Truube in Gais (AR)
Franck Reynaud – L’Ours in Crans-Montana (VS)
Pierrick Suter – Hôtel de la Gare in Lucens (VD)

NEW – Two Pâtissiers-Confiseurs Honored

And finally, here are the two winners of Mérite Culinaire Suisse under the category of pâtissiers-confiseurs (pastry chefs and confectioners):

David Pasquiet – L’Instant Chocolat in Crans-Montana (VS)
Giuseppe Piffaretti – La Bottega del Fornaio in Mendrisio (TI)

For more information:

Mérite Culinaire Suisse (Swiss Culinary Merit), Fondation pour la Promotion du Goût, Avenue Dapples 21, Case postale 99, 1001 Lausanne, +41 (0)21 601 58 03, concours@meriteculinaire.ch