An Exemplary Career Comes to an End: Culinary Director Franz W. Faeh Retires

Franz W. Faeh, also known as FWF, looks back on a remarkable career. The native of Saanenland started where he is ending his career: at the Gstaad Palace. Faeh completed his apprenticeship at Oberbort in Gstaad from 1978 to 1981, where he also grew up. Since childhood, his great ambition was to return one day as head chef to the Gstaad Palace. Before this vision became a reality ten years ago, he travelled around the world extensively. For almost twenty years, he worked at renowned stations for the Regent Hotel Group in Asia - from Hong Kong to Singapore, Jakarta, and Bangkok. During this time, he even served as a private chef for the Thai royal family for several years. The 'Saanen boy' has always kept his feet on the ground. He has remained true to his culinary philosophy and never allowed himself to be swayed by short-term trends. 'I stand for honest, straightforward cuisine where taste plays the leading role. No frills, no unnecessary decorations, and certainly no fusion cuisine that is more 'confusion' than anything else,' describes Chef FWF as his credo. He also uses this spirit deliberately as a coach, leader, and role model in the Palace kitchen. When it comes to delivering up to 700 dishes in top quality in one evening, he is right in the middle at the pass, lending a hand and being present at the front with his guests as an ambassador of his 55- member crew. 'The last ten years have been a home game and the pinnacle of my career. Being the Culinary Director at the Gstaad Palace is both an honour and top-level sport. I owe this opportunity to my esteemed friend, Palace owner and General Manager Andrea Scherz, who I have been closely connected with since our youth,' says Franz Faeh.

An Era Comes to an End

FWF was never a title or points chaser in his career. Nevertheless, he acquired numerous honorary titles. In 2021, the business magazine 'BILANZ' named Franz W. Faeh the Hotel Chef of the Year. In September 2022, he was appointed the new Conseiller Culinaire of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Switzerland, and just a few months later, he received his 16th point from GaultMillau Switzerland. In March 2025, Faeh received the highest honour by being admitted to the select circle of the 'Mérite Culinaire Suisse' - an honorary award given by the Swiss Federal Council. Finally, he was named Chef of the Year 2025/26 in the hotel rating by Andrin Willi, which is published in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung am Sonntag. These awards are just a few examples showing that with Franz W. Faeh, one of the best in his profession is retiring. He stands for a form of hospitality that has been lived at the Gstaad Palace for over 113 years, an unmistakable leadership style, and the consistent preservation of Switzerland's culinary heritage. 'With Franz, we have had a master in the kitchen for the past ten years. His excellent expertise, outstanding craftsmanship, close rapport with our guests, and his unique optimism, which he passes daily to the entire kitchen team, are unparalleled,' explains General Manager Andrea Scherz. 'On behalf of the entire Palace family, I thank Franz for his tireless efforts. For his future, I wish him all the best - as I know him, he will not rest and is always warmly welcome in his second home, the Gstaad Palace,' Scherz continues.

Luca Gatti Takes Over

Luca Gatti, who is almost a long-standing figure at the Gstaad Palace himself, will succeed FWF. The native Italian comes from a small town between Varese and Milan and has been working at the establishment for 20 years. He started as a Commis de Cuisine, then got to know the kitchen from every position, and finally worked for six years as a night cook. Gatti progressed from Junior Sous Chef to Sous Chef, overseeing the grill, the midday snack, and in the evening, together with the then Culinary Director Peter Wyss, the main kitchen. His first encounter with the Gstaad Palace was in mid-2006 when he earned his spurs over several seasons before completing his five- year studies at the Hotel Management School Hotel Ecolière near Milan.

Luca Gatti met Franz Faeh during the summer season of 2007 at the Palace. After Faeh took over the culinary leadership from Peter Wyss and Hugo Weibel in 2016, he hired Gatti as his right-hand man. 'From Franz, I learned how to lead a kitchen in a traditional house into the future and how to manage such a diverse kitchen brigade in a humane and fair manner. I have always greatly appreciated his trust in me, his open manner, and our collaboration - we understood each other almost blindly.' Gatti will assume the role of Executive Chef in September 2026.

Media Contact Gstaad Palace
Anna Siroka, Executive Assistant Manager Sales & Marketing
Tel: +41 33 748 54 01
E-Mail: pr@palace.ch

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Gstaad Palace