Fabrizio Zanetti is the executive chef at the Suvretta House, and a St. Moritz resident to boot. Having grown up in the local area, managed kitchens around the globe, he’s back home and tells us what’s so special about living and working in the valley.

Ciao, Fabrizio! How long have you worked at the Suvretta House now?
Hello! I’m now starting on my tenth season; I began in the summer of 2015.

Where were you before the Suvretta? Tell us about your journey to that role.
I’m the only St. Moritz-born executive chef there for many, many years. I started off by doing an apprenticeship at the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, then I went to culinary school. After that, I worked at Baur Au Lac in Zurich, Castello del Sole in Ascona, and Hotel Restaurant Ermitage in Küsnacht. Then I worked for Gordon Ramsay in London before deciding to work in China for one and a half years. I have now been back in St. Moritz for ten years, back here, back home. I have my family, and my son goes to primary school, and my wife is working here.

When you were travelling around the world, what were the things that you missed about St. Moritz? What made you want to come back?
That’s a good question. St. Moritz is still very much my hometown, and while I always love to travel and it’s important to go away, I decided to stay because it's beautiful here throughout the year.

Tell us more about your role at the Suvretta House.
I’m the executive chef in charge of all of the kitchens. In the summer season, I'm in charge of 45 chefs, and in the winter, I’m in charge of 27 chefs. There is a lot to say about the Suvretta House because it's a unique hotel. You can’t compare it to any other, but my favourite thing is still to cook. There are many executive chefs, but they spend their time sitting in an office. I like to stay in the kitchen, to come up with new dishes and to be there every day.

What are your favourite things to do when you’re not cooking?
In the winter it's skiing with my son and my wife, and I love the cross-country aspect to the sport, too – Langlauf. After 40 years of being here, you would think I would know all the places, but there is always something new. Especially around May and June, it’s great to go to Pontresina and see the Steinböcke – the Ibex mountain goats. They live on top of the mountains, and when it gets warmer, they come down and start to eat the grass – a sight to behold. I also like to drive just over the border to the Italian town of Chiavenna, to have some great food and enjoy warmer days! It’s also great to be able to do some mountain biking, hiking, and foraging for mushrooms and herbs in the mountains! I love to do this…

Which places do you like to eat and drink at when you’re not in the Kitchen?
I am asked this quite often, and sometimes it’s the places you wouldn’t expect me to say, such as Peppino's in St. Moritz Bad, Bellavista in Surlej and the Piz Hotel – Riccardo’s does a good pizza there. I also like to go to Belmont for a drink, and Chamanna up in the mountains when I’m skiing for a snack.

What about if you’re putting a picnic together? Where would you get your snacks for that?
Well, of course I’d get what I need from the Suvretta House. We have our own bakery, so I’d be able to get my croissants, rolls, and bread all from here, along with all the freshest ingredients from the best kitchen in St. Moritz!

Makers & Shakers: Hotel Employees (Part II)