KEMPINSKI PALACE ENGELBERG: MICHÉLE MÜLLER BECOMES HEAD CHEF
From the Hotel Adlon directly into the Swiss mountains.
23 February 2021
From the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, Michéle Müller is heading straight to the heart of the Swiss mountains these days. The 39-year-old Berlin native is taking over as Executive Chef of the kitchen brigade in the Kempinski Palace Engelberg, which will welcome its first guests in May 2021. This also makes her one of the very few female executive chefs in a Swiss luxury hotel.
Five-star level management
Before Michéle Müller joined the Hotel Adlon team as Executive Sous Chef in summer 2017, she was already at home all over the world and was able to gather extensive kitchen know-how in the international hotel industry. Countries such as Ireland, Italy, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates grace her CV, including famous luxury houses such as The Merrion Hotel in Dublin or the Park Hyatt Hotel Abu Dhabi, where she already led a 26-strong kitchen team. Interestingly, all stations of her career took place exclusively in five-star hotels. Her new job in Engelberg is already her third assignment in Switzerland: From 2000 to 2002, she worked as Chef de Patisserie at the Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina and from 2008 to 2009 as Sous Chef at the Ferienart Resort & Spa in Saas Fee.
"Finally back in beautiful Switzerland and, what's more, in this dreamlike mountain world of Engelberg," says Michéle Müller, looking forward to her new challenge. "But first and foremost, I am looking forward to implementing my own vision and formulating the direction in a new 5-star establishment. For me, the products are the hero on the plate and we chefs should always offer the guest new experiences and interactions with these products. I always try to work with local suppliers and producers, as they know their own products best and how that product can become the main character. Switzerland has a fantastic culinary tradition and food culture."
History and modernity
Guests at the future Kempinski Palace Engelberg are to be presented with hand-crafted cuisine that conjures up both Swissness and a combination of history and modernity, analogous to the two parts of the hotel building, on the plate. The culinary journey should not only be saved for the "special occasion" by gourmets and local guests, but they should feel at home in the restaurant and meet again regularly in a "feel-good" atmosphere.
Michéle Müller is enthusiastic: "Through my work around the globe and in very different hotels and restaurants, I have had the unique opportunity to develop my very own taste and passion for food. With the hard-earned, personal experiences in my toolbox, I now get to play a leading role in building a very special house."
Michéle Müller stands for a "culinary woman power" and also always makes a strong case for women in leadership positions. However, not only female employees, but young and passionate talents are generally to be promoted in Michéle Müller's team. The charisma of the Kempinski brand and the associated high quality standards will help to position the Kempinski Palace Engelberg as an employer of choice in the region.
"Now I can't wait to get to know the neighbours, the entire team and also soon the first guests in my new home in Engelberg," adds the energetic Berliner.
Kempinski Palace Engelberg Titlis
Dorfstrasse 40, 6390 Engelberg, Switzerland
Tel: +41 41 639 75 75
preopening.engelberg@kempinski.com
Picture Credits: Kempinski Hotels
