Franz W. Faeh joins the ranks of Switzerland’s top chefs while the Palace sets new sustainability standards.

Franz W. Faeh Awarded Mérite Culinaire Suisse
Franz W. Faeh, Culinary Director of the Gstaad Palace, has received one of the highest honours in Swiss gastronomy: the Mérite Culinaire Suisse. The prestigious award was presented to him on March 10 during a ceremony at the Hotel Bellevue in Bern, with Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin officiating.

Only around 50 chefs and pastry chefs across the country have received this distinction. The Mérite Culinaire Suisse recognises professionals whose culinary excellence, expertise, and respect for authentic Swiss products elevate the entire industry.

For Franz W. Faeh, the honour is deeply personal. “It’s a very special award—something unique,” he said. “It feels like the cherry on top of my career.” And what a career it has been. Since 2016, Faeh has led the Palace’s 50-strong kitchen team, blending Asian influences with his Gstaad roots to create what the award jury called “culinary artistry at the highest level.”

The nomination came as a surprise. A peer proposed Faeh—none other than Edgar Bovier, the acclaimed chef of Le Cerf in Rougemont, who himself received the Mérite in 2023 and will chair the award jury from next year. “Until I received the call inviting me to the ceremony, I had no idea,” Faeh told us.

With previous accolades including "Hotel Chef of the Year 2021," 16 Gault-Millau points, and his title as Conseiller Culinaire by the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, this latest recognition marks a high point. “I’m the first chef from Gstaad and the entire Saanenland to receive this honour,” he added with pride. “It’s a wonderful recognition of a profession I’ve practised with joy for 48 years.”

What is the Mérite Culinaire Suisse?
This prestigious award celebrates excellence in Swiss gastronomy. Every year, four chefs and two pastry chefs are selected for their commitment to culinary heritage, excellence, and authenticity. The independent jury—comprising chefs, pastry chefs, and journalists from Switzerland’s three linguistic regions—must unanimously approve each new member. Winners receive a special insignia presented during a formal ceremony.

Gstaad Palace Sets New Sustainability Standards
In addition to its culinary triumphs, the Gstaad Palace is also making headlines for its environmental leadership. The hotel has just achieved a triple milestone in sustainability:

- Travelife Gold Certification, recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council 

- Level III – Leading status from Swisstainable, Switzerland’s national tourism sustainability programme 

- Inclusion among the Sustainability Leaders of The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW)

"This is a significant step towards a more sustainable future—for people and the planet," said Andrea Scherz, General Manager and owner of the Gstaad Palace. “Our Gold certification from Travelife sets a high internal and external bar for sustainability.”

The Palace underwent an in-depth, months-long audit for the Travelife certification. As the first and only Swiss member of LHW to hold this label, the Gstaad Palace is leading by example. “Sustainability in luxury hospitality is a challenge,” Scherz added, “but one we’re proud to take on.”

Under Travelife’s comprehensive framework, which covers environmental, social, and economic sustainability, the Palace also earned recognition from Swisstainable, jumping directly from Level I to the highest tier, Level III.

Scherz, who has chaired LHW since 2022, sees the Palace’s achievement as a powerful statement. “As Chairman, I felt a responsibility to lead by example. I believe this will help move the sustainability conversation forward—both within Switzerland and on the international stage.”

Based on AvS | KMA