‘Tis the season for indulgence… but it doesn’t all have to be about Christmas dinner. Whether you fancy fondue in the sky or skiing for your dinner, invitingly wintry food events are taking place across the country.
Skills to Savour: Christmas Chocolate
The Alimentarium restaurant-cum-museum in Vevey on the shores of Lake Geneva is hosting seasonal workshops this December – on the theme of chocolate. The sessions, which are open to all ages and cost CHF 30 for an afternoon, take place under the watchful eye of an expert chef.
More information and booking: www.alimentarium.org
Advent Dinner
Climb aboard the ferry in Walenstadt on 10th December for a dinner that will certainly see in Christmas in style. The ‘Advents-Dinner auf dem Schiff’ event has a hearty menu featuring pork with potato croquettes and pear poached in red wine. Tricky will be keeping your eye on your food instead of the dramatic view across lake Walensee. The event costs CHF 89 for adults and CHF 44.50 for children.
More information and online booking: http://www.walenseeschiff.ch/Angebot/Galerie#.WEBRSneZOCQ
Arosa Genussexpress
A few tickets are still available for the Rhaetian Railway’s popular Arosa Genussexpress. The gourmet train journey from Chur through the beautiful Schanfigg valley to Arosa includes a three-course winter dinner dished up in an old-world train carriage. The excursion, which costs CHF 85 per person, runs on Fridays from December to February. Early booking is essential.
More information: https://www.rhb.ch/de/freizeit-ausfluege/genuss-erholung/kulinarische-genussreisen/arosa-genussexpress
Afternoon Tea
Grand Resort Bad Ragaz may be most famous for its spa facilities, but its afternoon tea is also worth a try. Held twice per month in the winter in the Grand Hotel Quellenhof’s regal Green Hall, the offering of sweet and savoury treats is dished up by tea sommelier and head butler Andreas Karrasch, a native Englishman. Afternoon Tea including tea, sandwiches, muffins and scones costs CHF 45 per person. Dates for December are 10th and 29th.
More information: http://www.resortragaz.ch/en/grand-hotels/restaurants-bars/culinary-events/afternoon-tea.html
Moonlight night
Deep in the mountains near Montreux, enjoy a magical mystery tour by darkness. Scheduled for 6pm on 14th December, the route features an easy 75-minute ascent and can be undertaken on snowshoes or touring skis. At the end of the climb, a refuge serving fondue, cheeses and a homemade dessert awaits. Headlamps are recommended.
More information: http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/service-updates/events/event-382763751.html
Hot Pot Brienz
Sink into a steaming hot tub on the shores of Lake Brienz and – as if that weren’t warming enough – tuck into an equally steaming fondue chinoise at the same time. The four-course package, which comes complete with Prosecco, is on offer at Hotel Weisses Kreuz in Brienz until February 2017. Booking is essential.
More information: www.weisseskreuz-brienz.ch
Villars: Fondue in the Sky
Hop aboard the Roc d’Orsay cable car in Villars for an award-winning dinner with a difference. Recently named ‘Unique Restaurant of the Year 2016’ by the Luxury Travel Guide, the Fondue in the Sky experience combines views of Mont Blanc and the famous Dents du Midi with a regional dinner of charcuterie, fondue, kirsch and white wine. The event will next be held on 25th February and has space for 360 people.
To book, visit www.fondueinthesky.com
