Gourmet Food Chalets

The arrival of chalets with delicious food us a natural progression in the growth of the luxury chalet market. Back in the 1980's it was very easy to get a job cooking and hosting in a catered chalets as a 'chalet girl'. Back then it was enough that you simply came from a 'nice' background, were well educated and had helped mummy prepare a few dinner parties at home. However, this was not much of a training programme to then be cooking each night for a chalet full of paying guests. Not surprisingly there are plenty of cracking stories from those early years of the catered chalet holiday where stressed chalet girls had to improvise like mad to rescue a tricky situation in the kitchen. However, in those early days the clientele were far less fussy and the odd culinary disaster was usually laughed off. A chalet holiday in the 80's was rarely seen as a luxury holiday and guests were generally more concerned with how much fun the chalet girl could be rather than her prowess behind the cooker. However, all things change and for the most part standards have risen over the last 30 years. This means at the top end of the chalet holiday market that the chaotic but enormous fun 'chalet girl' has made way for the professional chalet chef, preparing gourmet food in their chalet each night to exacting standards.

This rise in standards within the chalet kitchen is also to do with the growth of the luxury chalet holiday market that has really developed over the last 15 years or so into a product that attracts clients from all around the world. Not so long the only truly luxurious alpine accommodation that could be booked for a holiday was a 5 star hotel. In France that was really limited to Courchevel 1850 and Megeve; in Switzerland luxury hotels were found in Zermatt, Gstaad and St Moritz and in Austria the luxury hotels were pretty much confined to Lech and Zurs in the Arlberg. Now, however, the smartest and most exclusive alpine accommodation is chalet based. For many of the world's wealthiest and/or famous skiers the chalet offers the best way to keep away from the public scene - sometimes a retreat in the mountains is the perfect antidote to a hectic life. However, this super rich and exacting clientele need standards of cooking to match the quality of the luxury chalet in which they are staying.

See all our luxury chalets with gourmet food by using this link

It's now not at all uncommon to find Michelin restaurant trained chefs cooking in luxury chalets across the Alps. In the summer these globetrotting masters of culinary action can be found working on the super yachts of the Med. However, in winter they come to the mountains to practice their art, serving delicious food in the smartest chalets of Courchevel, Verbier, Megeve, Meribel, Zermatt and Val d'Isere. However, there are a growing number of gourmet food chalets that can be found in much more tucked away destinations.

The Chalet Grande Corniche in Les Gets, France, is one of those gourmet food chalets that is in a quiet, tucked out of the way location yet still has easy access to an enormous ski domain - The Portes su Soleil area.

The Ferme d'Elise in Morzine (sleeping 16+ guests) is really more like a very small boutique hotel rather than a chalet. The food and service are of a very high standard.

Chalet Maldeghem in Klosters is a very rare find indeed. The chalet is full of classic old-world chalet style and each winter season is a great chalet to stay in if you are a real 'foodie'.

We have been recommending luxury gourmet food chalets since 1992 and never before have there been so many fabulous alpine properties to choose from. Please browse our site to view the full selection but if you want to limit your choice to just those chalets with the best chefs please use this link. If you would rather just call us to discuss your needs then we look forward to hearing from you.