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Gourmet Nest with a Star: »IGNIV« brings a Michelin Award to Badrutt’s Palace

Nov. 1st, 2017

The second gourmet nest by creative Andreas Caminada first opened its doors nine months ago in the noble Swiss ski resort of St. Moritz on 21st December 2016. Badrutt’s Palace Hotel’s guests can enjoy more than just the spectacular view of Lake St. Moritz and the Engadine Alps in the youngest IGNIV.  The much acclaimed sharing concept with its many varied dishes to share, instead of picking from a classic menu, also adds to the newly-starred restaurant’s appeal. The nest atmosphere which gives the concept it’s name bears the signature of star interior designer Patricia Urquiola. High quality materials and a gentle and refined colour palette lend the elegant room a warmth and feeling of a private sanctuary, perfect for a relaxed family get-together or a dinner with friends or business partners.
 
Marcel Skibba is the chef on show in the restaurant’s modern kitchen. Together with his 15-person brigade, the 31 year old runs his Fine- Dining-Sharing-Experience. Sharing is at the heart of IGNIV: all the food is served in small dishes, or on small plates and platters, placed centre table; each guest can serve themselves as they please.

The focus in the kitchen is on the unadultered taste of regional products. Skibba is very familiar with Andreas Caminada’s high culinary expectations: he has been a fixed member of the top chef’s kitchen team since April 2015 and during the summer and autumn seasons, when IGNIV St. Moritz is closed, he continues to work as his sous chef in the 3-starred Schloss Schauenstein.
 
In Fürstenau they are of course all thrilled: »An impressive success«, acknowledges Andreas Caminada. »The first Michelin star is always a great accolade, but especially after such a short time. I am so thrilled for Marcel and am extremely grateful to the whole team in Badrutt’s Palace Hotel. Their brilliant achievement perfectly embodies the idea of IGNIV. «
 
In St.Moritz the recent Michelin Guide’s award so soon after opening the restaurant is also cause for celebration: »We would like to congratulate Marcel Skibba and his team most sincerely. IGNIV enriches the offering for our guests here in Badrutt’s Palace Hotel with a unique culinary highlight which is most deserving of its Michelin star. Now we are looking forward to the coming winter season more than ever with the service resuming in December«, reveals Hans Wiedemann, Managing Director and Delegate of the Board of the luxury Alpine hotel.
 
From the Black Forest to the Swiss Alps Marcel Skibba began his career in 2003 in his native Black Forest. After qualifying as a chef in the traditional hotel and restaurant Erbprinz in Ettlingen as well as a stint in his parents’ hotel he moved to the 2-starred »Le Pavillon« in Hotel Dollenberg in the Black Forest. He then gained invaluable experience as a saucier and possionier as chef de partie in Thomas Bühner’s team in the 3-starred restaurant »La Vie« in Osnabrück.
Since 2015 Marcel Skibba has enhanced Andreas Caminada’s 3-starred cuisine in Schloss Schauenstein, where he quickly rose ranks to become the native Graubundener’s sous chef and qualified for the position of head chef at IGNIV in Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz, which opens every winter season.
Erfolgsnest IGNIV by Andreas Caminada The Graubunden-born star chef has deliberately ventured away from classic fine dining with the opening of his second restaurant brand IGNIV. The bold move and the realisation of his sharing concept by two of his most talented pupils, a concept still unique in Switzerland, have paid off: hot on the heels of his first Michelin star for IGNIV in Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, which
opened in 2015, is another coveted star for his second outlet awarded only 9 months after its opening.  »I couldn’t be happier. It is so amazing to see how well the sharing concept has been received by our guests. But what makes me prouder than the success is the talent and love of detail with which my star performers Marcel Skibba and Silvio Germann fulfil the brief, « confirms Caminada.

  
Andreas Caminada
Andreas Caminada (40) has been welcoming guests to Schloss Schauenstein in Fürstenau (Switzerland) since 2003, leading a team of 40. The restaurant »Schloss Schauenstein« is bestowed with 3 Michelin stars and 19 GaultMillau points and has appeared on »The World’s Best Restaurants« list since 2011 – for six of those years in the top 50 in the world. In 2012 Andreas Caminada founded the catering company »acasa« with his friend and top chef Sandro Steingruber. In December 2015 came the launch of his second restaurant brand »IGNIV by Andreas Caminada« with outlets in Grand Resort Bad Ragaz and since December 2016 in Badrutt’s Palace Hotel. Also in 2015
he set up his own foundation »Fundaziun Uccelin«, which supports and nurtures young, talented chefs and service staff. His bookazine »CAMINADA DOCUMENTA« appears every 6 months in German and English. Andreas is married and has two sons.

 

Gourmet Nest with a Star: »IGNIV«  brings a Michelin Award to Badrutt’s Palace