October 19, 2012
Five-Star Hotel in Gstaad to Open with Star Chef
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.
GSTAAD, Switzerland - In September 2012, Marcus G. Lindner will take on the role of Executive Chef for The Alpina Gstaad, the first luxury hotel to be built in 100 years in the charming alpine village of Gstaad.
Managing Director Niklaus Leuenberger made the appointment three months before the new hotel's official opening on December 1.
Chef Lindner will be responsible for the cuisine of the five-star property's three restaurants: the first European outlet of MEGU, an award-winning Japanese restaurant; a traditional Swiss st�bli, and an all-day dining restaurant that will offer an international menu. He will oversee the menus of the Bar-Lounge, the Dining Terrace and all banqueting facilities.
For 27 of his 32 years in the culinary field, Chef Lindner has held the title of head chef. He has directed the kitchens of some of the Europe's most renowned luxury hotels including the Grand Hotel Victoria-Jungfrau, Strandhotel & Restaurant Belv�d�re and the Kurhaus Baden-Baden.
Most recently, Chef Lindner was Executive Chef at Mesa, one of Zurich's top restaurants where he earned two Michelin stars and 18 points from Gault Millau.
And it was Gault Millau who named him "Up and Coming Chef of the Year" in 2010. Before moving to Mesa, he was Executive Chef at the five-star Interalpen Hotel Tyrol in Telfs, Austria and the Michelin-star Hotel Hermitage, a Relais & Chateaux in Zurich. From 2000 to 2003, he held the same position at the Grand Hotel Park in Gstaad.
A $337 million luxury development that includes private apartments within the hotel and two chalets, The Alpina Gstaad is on schedule to open December 1. The five-star property is a contemporary interpretation of traditional Swiss architecture incorporating authentic local materials and time-honored alpine style.
In addition to the three restaurants, the 56-room hotel will have a bar and lounge, a 21,000-square-foot Six Senses Spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a cigar lounge, a private cinema, a wine tasting room, a ballroom and meeting rooms.
"Marcus has created dining experiences for some of the world's most discerning clientele. He brings a very unique vision to Gstaad," explained Nik Leuenberger, Managing Director of The Alpina Gstaad.
"I am very pleased that Marcus is joining us at The Alpina Gstaad and am confident that he will add a new dimension to dining in Gstaad that is exciting for locals and a special part of the trip for visitors," said Mr. Leuenberger.
Commenting on his appointment, Chef Lindner noted, "The Alpina Gstaad is the most exciting new hotel on the horizon in Switzerland today. There really will be nothing else like it. The architecture and design will be second to none, and the kitchen is as good as it gets."
"I am approaching this new challenge in my career with all my energy and dedication to make sure The Alpina is the new culinary destination in Gstaad," he explained.
Chef Lindner apprenticed at the St. Leonard Restaurant in his home town of Feldkrich Austria.
For further information, please visit www.thealpinagstaad.ch
____________________________________________________________________________
A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
