Open Jaw :: On The Town ::

with Martha Chapman
28APR09

Mirko Capodanno of Switzerland Tourism cooking up a storm with Dorle Schuermann of the city of Basel and Bruno Huggler of Valais Tourism

Bruno Huggler soaking up some unseasonal sun in YYZ.

Aurelia Carlen of Zurich with Switzerland Tourism’s
Michelle Kranz

Switzerland Melts Chilly Image Over Fondue Luncheon

Did you know that in Switzerland, if you drop your piece of bread into cheese fondue there is a penalty to pay?

We all know how wonderfully organized and clean Switzerland is (trains run like clockwork, lakes and rivers so clean office workers sometimes go for a swim at lunch hour). But learning about the dropped-bread penalty was news to me, along with many other tidbits picked up at a lovely luncheon hosted by Switzerland Tourism.

The venue was the Ted Rogers School of Management in downtown T.O., where the Swiss had invaded (politely, of course) the hospitality training kitchen. Fondue was showcased at lunch – prepared by some of our genial Swiss hosts. During the meal, they shared with us some cool new things about Switzerland.

Thanks to the creation of some new parks, a total of 15% of the country is now protected. Clients with a few days and a love of fine Swiss watches can help build their own at Audemars Piguet. 19% of all travel in Switzerland is by public transit.

“It can be a challenge to get away from the ‘mountains, Heidi, cuckoo clocks image,” Michelle Kranz of Switzerland Tourism told me. “We cannot forget those, but hope to also incorporate an image of progress and trendiness – and love of the environment.”

And of course Switzerland’s a perfect four-season destination, with Canadian visitor numbers in summer equaling those during winter’s ski season.

Oh, and the penalty for dropping your bread cube off your fork into the fondue? “It varies,” says Thomas Heimberg of Zurich Airport, “Just the way every family has its own fondue recipe.” (His includes adding champagne.) “You may have to buy a round of drinks, or kiss the person next to you, or do the dishes.”

Any of which would be a small price to pay for the delights of a genuine Swiss fondue!