Who hasn’t asked themselves: How do the chefs in sustainable hotels conjure up such spectacular taste experiences from the same ingredients that everyone uses at home? How do the chefs manage to send their guests to cloud nine with every dish? Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at how guests can experience the culinary magic first-hand.
Looking over the Chef’s Shoulder
The concept of the „open kitchen” is becoming more and more popular. On the one hand, it emphasizes the transparent sustainability communication of hotels: „We show you what ingredients we work with”. On the other hand, it offers guests the opportunity to interact with the chefs directly and even make special requests. Misunderstandings are a rare occurrence.
Open Kitchen in the Rhön
This flexibility is also appreciated by the STURM team in the Rhön biosphere reserve. Every evening, dinner is prepared in front of the guests in the open kitchen of the Otto|s. There is time for conversation, during which one or two insider tips are shared. For example, how to use the various fresh herbs that come directly from the hotel’s own garden.
The chefs also love to share more about the local origins of the products and the seasonal recipes.
Live-Cooking in the Alps
Every Thursday, guests at the alpine hideaway Klosterhof have the opportunity to look over the shoulders of Chef Sascha Förster and his team. The live cooking session takes place on the sun terrace in summer and revolves around everything that can be grilled: From classics to fish and vegetable creations, everyone will find what they are looking for. In winter, the live cooking evenings have the motto „Bavarian Soulfood”. Guests experience Bavarian classics interpreted in a modern way in a cozy atmosphere.
Top tip: For a few weeks now, the Klosterhof’s evening dinners have the motto: „Your Mood defines your Food”: Three surprise menus enchant guests with top international cuisine, herbal specialties, or vegan-vegetarian delicacies. Whatever you feel like. More Information.
Pick up the Wooden Spoon Yourself
If simply watching is not enough, you can also step behind the stove yourself in some sustainable hotels and learn the secrets of sustainable cooking. In the cooking courses, emphasis is placed on giving participants their own appreciation of food as well as a focus on regionality and seasonality. In addition to the numerous practical tips and recipes, of course.
Cooking Classes in the Alps: From Ayurveda to Kaiserschmarrn
At the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio, Ayurvedic chef Gabriel regularly offers courses where guests can experience Ayurvedic cuisine. The focus here is on spices and their beneficial effects. There are even dedicated spice workshops as well as a smoking workshop.
Mindful indulgence and slow food are the focus at the gourmet hotel Die Forelle at Lake Weissensee. Add to this the zero waste philosophy of the kitchen team and the foundation for very special cooking courses has been created.
Chef Hannes Müller and his kitchen team regularly offer workshops and courses for hotel guests. In addition to one-day workshops lasting 3-4 hours, the Koch.Work.Shop.Tage (Cook.Work.Shop.Days) are also on the agenda for autumn. Every day, participants can expect a workshop with a specific theme. The topics are regionally and seasonally inspired and designed to teach participants respect for nature and food. For example, there is a workshop that revolves around the complete processing of fish – from nose to tail fin.
The autumn Koch.Work.Shop.Tage will take place from the 8th to the 13th of October.
Not only an active guide but also a trained chef – „Berg-Baschdi” takes the guests of Hotel Das Rübezahl and their preferences up to the hotel’s own Rohrkopfhütte. After the hike, the participants learn there how to properly prepare Allgäu specialties such as Kässpatzn and Kaiserschmarrn. And all of this is done in style in a mountain hut with a breathtaking panoramic view.
International cooking experiences in Thailand and Sicily
The unique experience of the luxury Thai resort Keemala also includes Sunday cooking classes, in which all guests are allowed to participate. Participants are introduced to Thai cuisine in small groups or in pairs. The cooking classes take place in the middle of the Enchanted Forest, where participants learn how to prepare herbs and fruits.
The ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA offers excursions and courses in the local surroundings with the goal of supporting local partners while at the same time bringing guests closer to Sicilian life and cuisine. For example, a cooking course in the famous Valle dei Templi in cooperation with the archaeological park administration is a very new addition. Here, Sicilian cuisine is combined with its historical roots.
Ready for more great cuisine at home?
