Elite Traveler Summer 2020

St Moritz Gourmet Festival ST MORITZ, SWITZERLAND A penchant for healing waters first drew tourists to St Moritz in the late 19th century. Today, the swanky alpine village in Switzerland’s Upper Engadine Valley prevails as a peerless ski destination, as famous for its social scene as its nearly 250 miles of ski trails and slopes. Two-time host of the Winter Olympics and home to some of the world’s most acclaimed hotels and restaurants, the glamorous ski town hosts an annual winter festival called White Turf — multiple days of horse races executed across a frozen lake. In between events, spectators ski, snowboard, frolic — and eat. Most skiers vie for hard-to-procure mountainside reservations, knowing that where they lunch (and après ski) is as important as which mountain they’ve conquered. In that mode, St Moritz Gourmet Festival joined the winter milieu more than a quarter-century ago, bringing choice culinary stars from around the globe for nine days of cooking demonstrations, mountaintop dinners, fêtes, collaborations and competitions. Sponsored by St Moritz’s top hotels, restaurants and other luxury brands like Porsche, the culinary party involves the entire town. Visiting chefs are matched with local chefs for both cooking and skiing activities. Last year’s festival showcased an all-female lineup of 10 chefs, including London’s Asma Khan, Copenhagen’s Kamilla Seidler and Bangkok’s Bee Satongun. To channel St Moritz’s original snowbirds, book the moody Hitchcock Suite (Alfred’s favorite room) at

Clockwise from left Last year’s all-female chef lineup; Laurent- Perrier champagne

historic Badrutt’s Palace. -BH stmoritz-gourmetfestival.ch