For the first time MICHELIN, the leading global restaurant guide, celebrates a „Female Chef Award“ in Switzerland. In partnership with the champagne house Veuve Clicquot, which is actively empowering female entrepreneurs, this year’s „MICHELIN Switzerland Female Chef Award“ goes to: Tanja Grandits. The German chef is known for her impressive, colorful and happy work at the two Michelin-starred Restaurant „Stucki” in Basel.

On June 12th, Tanja Grandits was officially honored by Michelin and Veuve Clicquot, with an award ceremony at The Dolder Grand. The award was presented by Dominique Demarville, Veuve Clicquot’s Cellar Master who not only unveils Tanja as the Female Chef of the Year 2017, but also brings another surprise aloang: the launch of the new „Veuve Clicquot Prestige Cuvée“.

Dominique says: “We, at Veuve Clicquot, are very proud to present our prestige cuvée, La Grande Dame, to another grande dame, Tanja Grandits. This champagne pays tribute to Madame Barbe-Nicole Clicquot and to all the strong women who have achieved something extraordinarily special in their field of work.”

Besides, she also presented the latest innovation from Veuve Clicquot, the “Extra Brut Extra Old”, a premium cuvée created from the most valuable pure reserve wines. Matured for twice as long as required and with a very light dosage the new “Veuve Clicquot Extra Brut Extra Old” musters only the best from its history in this gastronomic champagne bottle.

As I was not able to attend the official ceremony, Veuve Clicquot invited me to their Maison and the exclusive  „by invitation only“ Hotel Du Marc in Reims in May, to celebrate both: Tanja Grandits’ Award and the pre-launch of the new Premium Cuvée „Extra Brut, Extra Old“.

A truly delicious day dinner, accompanied by the rarest Veuve Clicquot champagnes, was held at the magical dining room of their Chateaux in Reims, where Tanja spoke about food, her story and her achievements as a female chef.

The „Hotel du Marc“ is just called „hotel“ but actually is a private chateaux, bought by Madame Clicquot in 1822 and has became a part of the Veuve Clicquot heritage. Visits and stays are reserved exclusively for friends, family, and business partners of the brand. The property is a melange of design, art, french flaire and the stunning history of the maison.

Congratulations Tanja Grandits and special thanks to Veuve Clicquot for hosting me at this magical place.