Baar, Switzerland, 12 February, 2018 – Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts is kick-starting 2018 with a burst of gastronomic vision and flavour as its parent company, the Moevenpick Group, celebrates seven decades of culinary excellence and innovation.
To mark the company's 70th anniversary, its Food & Beverage Director Europe, Thomas Hollenstein, and his team of chefs, have unveiled a menu of seven remarkable dishes that marry the old with the new – popular classics and guest favourites reimagined for the modern palate, inspired by cuisines and gastronomy trends from around the world.
The '70 years of culinary excellence' promotion, available in restaurants at all Moevenpick properties globally from 10 March to 20 April 2018, introduces seven inventive dishes that pay tribute to Ueli Prager, who when founding the Moevenpick brand in 1948, redefined the European restaurant scene and paved the way for a new style of modern hospitality, based on a simple premise: 'doing normal things in an extraordinary manner'.
Just as Prager introduced diners to unpretentious cuisine with a twist, such as curry-based Riz Casimir – a first in Europe – so 70 years on, Moevenpick chefs have created an inspiring menu of uncomplicated but surprising creations, all of which use fresh, authentic and health-promoting ingredients.
They include: Scallops & avocado tartare - a reinvention of Moevenpick's popular beef tartare, influenced by Mediterranean cuisine; salade belle fermiere - a lively interpretation of Salade Francois, made famous in the 1948 American musical film, "Easter Parade"; mille feuille saumon & caviar d'olive - a savoury take combining delicate smoked salmon, puff pastry and golden olive caviar; mushrooms and vegetables Zurich style - a meat-free version of Zurich-style veal that pairs aromatic root vegetables and smoky Shitake mushrooms; seafood Casimir - a medley of steamed seafood, fish and salicornia (sea asparagus), and an assortment of citrus fillets, paired with wild rice; bare beef burger Cafe de Paris – a prime beef cut paired with crispy ultra-thin parmesan-dusted fries; and carrot waffle - a quirky reinterpretation of classic Swiss carrot cake.
These dishes not only take inspiration from Prager's visionary approach to cuisine, but his original idea for a new restaurant concept: a sophisticated yet relaxed place where guests could sample dishes at affordable prices – the name for which came when he least expected.
As he strolled the shores of Lake Zurich with a friend and considered the possibilities, a seagull (or Moewe in German), swooped down to skilfully pick up food mid-flight. That one elegant movement encapsulated his idea and so 'Moevenpick' (Moewe pick) - and Europe's first casual dining experience - was born.
Prager's first restaurant, Claridenhof, opened in Zurich in July 1948, offering simple dishes that could be ordered à la carte - a refreshing alternative to conventional set menus and the first of many Moevenpick innovations.
Twenty-five years later, in 1973, Prager capitalised on the brand's reputation for quality food, affordability, staff training standards and innovation by opening the company's first two hotels. This marked the official launch of Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts and today, his values penetrate every aspect of Moevenpick Group's business, including Moevenpick Gastronomy, Moevenpick Wine and Moevenpick Fine Foods.
"Moevenpick's story is astonishing, founded on a commitment to service, authenticity, culinary excellence and innovation, and in 2018 we celebrate these values and our rich heritage in the way we know best – by treating our guests around the world to an inspiring gastronomic experience," said Olivier Chavy.
"The '70 years of culinary excellence' promotion is a fitting tribute to Ueli Prager who was truly ahead of his time when he founded our company, and we continue to build on his legacy with experimental cuisine and new concepts that keep his original vision in mind – doing normal things in an extraordinary manner."
Download link: http://bit.ly/2FQU1qN
About Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts:
Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts, an international upscale hotel management company with over 16,000 staff members, is represented in 24 countries with 83 hotels, resorts and Nile cruisers currently in operation. Around 40 properties are planned or under construction, including those in Kuredhivaru (Maldives), The Hague (The Netherlands) and Basel (Switzerland). Focusing on expanding within its core markets of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts specialises in business and conference hotels, as well as holiday resorts, all reflecting a sense of place and respect for their local communities. Of Swiss heritage and with headquarters in central Switzerland (Baar), Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts is passionate about delivering premium service and culinary enjoyment – all with a personal touch. Committed to supporting sustainable environments, Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts has become the most Green Globe-certified hotel company in the world. For more information, please visit www.movenpick.com.