In mid-November, GaultMillau selected the Chef of the Year 2021. This year, the prestigious award goes to Stefan Heilemann from the Widder Restaurant in the Widder Hotel of the same name. The 38-year-old took over the management of the gastronomic flagship on Zurich's Rennweg in May 2020 and has since left his mark with his unmistakable signature. After the confirmation of the 18 GaultMillau points, he and his team around host Stefano Petta are now delighted about this great recognition.

A great culinary experience

"Heilemann cooks classic. Heilemann can do Asian, and both at the highest level. A culinary cocktail that delights us," writes Urs Heller. It is the passion for his craft that drives Stefan Heilemann to constantly reinterpret the culinary world. His virtuoso creations are characterized by the recurring acidity, sometimes gently in the background, sometimes staged as a highlight, and give each dish its unmistakability. In addition, there is a team that already caused a sensation together in Heilemann's Ecco times at Giardino by Atlantis and shares his passion for perfection. This includes host and sommelier Stefano Petta, who manages like no other to let Heilemann's flavors shine with the best wines. André Siedl also plays an important part in the success. As head patissier, he shows that desserts are so much more than sweet farewells.

Flying high without taking off

Now comes the accolade of Chef of the Year 2021 from GaultMillau. It is an exclusive squad of top chefs that the German-born chef can join. Heilemann is very pleased about this: "Our start in the spring at the Widder Hotel was like coming home due to the warm and open welcome. We settled in quickly and were able to hit the ground running right from the start. I am very pleased that this is also perceived from the outside, and I thank you very much for this great award." Jörg Arnold, General Manager of Zurich's The Living Circle hotels, is also happy about the latest success at the Widder Hotel: "This strengthens the pole position of the culinary experiences of the City & Lake Resort together with the Hotel Alex on Lake Zurich (accessible by boat shuttle service) and the Storchen Zurich, a few minutes' walk from the Widder Restaurant. The three outstanding young talents in the kitchens of these five-star hotels play an important part in sharpening our positioning in the leisure market." However, Stefan Heilemann, Stefano Petta and the team have no intention of resting on their laurels. Despite the adverse circumstances at the moment, they are looking to the future full of verve and zest for action.

About the Aries Hotel

The five-star-superior Hotel Widder in the middle of Zurich's old town is unique in the Swiss luxury hotel industry and attracts guests from all over the world. In an elaborate, ten-year restoration, nine medieval buildings were modified into a unique boutique hotel property under the direction of Swiss architect Tilla Theus. The result is a synthesis of history, art and design. The total of 35 rooms and 14 suites are individually designed and bring the 700-year history of the house to life with surprising details and modern design classics. With a total of four different gastronomy concepts and eight event rooms, the Widder Hotel is also a popular meeting place for the Zurich scene and business community. The Widder Hotel is a member of the "Swiss Deluxe Hotels", the "Leading Hotels of the World" and the "White Line Hotels".

For more information, see: www.widderhotel.com 

Picture credits: Widder Hotel