Dieter Meier launches Il Tavolo at the Bärengasse
It was a glamorous and joyful evening at the Restaurant Bärengasse last night for the opening of the second food festival’s Il Tavolo. It is no-one less than the former band leader of Yellow, Dieter Meier, who launched the four day event in his restaurant.
Wines of Il Tavolo 2013 – Première at Bärengasse restaurant
After a nice aperitif with Pommery Champagne served in the Lichthof, Dieter Meier welcomed the guests of Il Tavolo with its President, Jörg Arnold. During the live cooking shows the light artist, Gerry Hofstetter presented his first film, a 5 minute presentation about Il Tavolo. It was quite entertaining introducing all amateur and celebrity chefs of the evening.
Amateur chef Clifford Lilley cooking with Maurice Marro from Hotel Baur au Lac – crédit Agnieszka Obuchowicz
Giuseppe Stornolio (Eden au Lac chef) is finishing the biscuit roulade with Nougat- Dieter Meier in the back – crédit Agnieszka Obuchowicz
The celebrity chefs of the hotels hosting the festival were there: Frank Widmer (Park Hyatt), Gion Fetz (Dolder Grand), Dietmar Sawyere (Widder Hotel), Maurice Marro & Oliver Rais (Baur au Lac), Giuseppe Storniolo (Eden au Lac) and Fredi Nussbaum (Storchen).
Sandra Bauknecht at the Baerengasse restaurant for the opening of Il Tavolo – credit Agnieszka Obuchowicz
Sandra Bauknecht is preparing a veal barbecued with corn and snow peas – credit Agnieszka Obuchowicz
Maurice Marro (Baur au Lac) is preparing a pavé of sea breams – crédit Agnieszka Obuchowicz
They all prepared gourmet menus with VIP amateur chefs Sandra Bauknecht, Clifford Lilley, Monika Schärer, Anatole Taubman, Samih Sawiris, Martin Sturzenegger, Carolina Müller-Möhl, Silvia Affolter and Andreas Homoki.
Gerry Holfstetter is looking at Frank Widmer (Chef Park Hyatt) and Sandra Bauknecht prepare a dish, Il Tavolo Baerengasse restaurant – crédit Agnieszka Obuchowicz
Six delicious menus were served as finger foods. There were some pavés of sea bream with chorizo, calamares with ragout of tomatoes, barbecued veal with corn and snow peas, smoked salmons with scallops, raviolis with spinach or asparagus with goat cheese fondue. The desserts were absolutely amazing like the strawberry variation, the chocolate mousse or the cherry sabayon with mascarpone!
Menu of Il Tavolo 2013 – Première at the Bärengasse in Zurich
Delicious strawberry variation dessert, Il Tavolo – crédits Agnieszka Obuchowicz
Chocolate desserts, Il Tavolo Première
Cherry cake with almond, cherry sabayon with mascarpone – Premiere of Il Tavolo – credit Agnieszka Obuchowicz
At the end for those who were still hungry, a pyramid of Sprüngli’s truffles was waiting for the guests in the Lichthof. After 3 hours many were still dancing and mingling at the Bärengasse restaurant after the successful Première of Il Tavolo.
Pyramid of Spruengli truffles at the Lichthof in Zurich – crédit Agnieszka Obuchowicz
If you missed it it is not too late to get tickets for the other events. Tonight is the dashing chefs event at 7 p.m. and tomorrow Il mercato’s lunch at the Engrosmarket from noon to 2:30 p.m. The long night at the tavolata at the Engrosmarket is on June 29th at 7 p.m. with the after show party starting at 10 pm with Dieter Meier. The closing will be a family brunch at the Engrosmarket at 10:00 a.m.
For more information check out Il Tavolo or visit Jelmoli.