The magic of St. Peter's Island
He works in one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland. Bruno Marthaler, Managing Director of the St. Petersinsel restaurant and monastery hotel. The natural paradise with its own organic farm and vines invites you to relax, discover and enjoy. As a guest of the Attila Boutique Boatel, you can enjoy an unforgettable stay on the island on Lake Biel.
"I always have my first coffee of the day here and enjoy the beautiful surroundings," says Bruno Marthaler, taking a deep breath. We sit on a bench in front of the monastery building, the sun rises on the horizon and makes the sky and lake glow an autumnal red. Countless starlings are perched in a treetop behind us, singing loudly about the new day. You can feel, hear and enjoy the unspoiled landscape of the nature reserve.
Regional specialties for Attila guests
"This region has so much to offer, including culinary delights. My aim is to take regional producers into account and to align the menu accordingly". Bruno Marthaler has only been in charge of the restaurant and monastery hotel for a few weeks, or as he says with a smile, "the capo". As a trained and well-traveled chef with further training as an organic gourmet specialist, he wants to give the island organic farm, a fisherman from the neighbouring village, local vegetable producers and winegrowers from the Three Lakes region a central role in the future. "I can also imagine thinning out the menu and focusing on regional, high-quality products instead."
St. Peter's Island is a fixed stop and of course a special attraction on the Attila cruise across the three lakes. Bruno Marthaler and his team spoil guests at Boutique Boatel with products from the region. In future, however, he wants to welcome visitors not only in summer but also in winter. "The atmosphere here is also breathtakingly beautiful in winter. I don't want to deprive guests of that. The theme will be slowing down, the tranquillity of the place. For example, there is a wonderful room in the basement with a fireplace that could be used. I also have a vegan and vegetarian multi-course menu in mind, as well as a Sunday roast or apple pie from the wood-fired oven, just like my grandmother used to make. Bruno Marthaler talks enthusiastically about his ideas. And it's easy to imagine spending a wintry Sunday afternoon here.
The homecoming of the cruise professional
"Take a look at where the Attila is moored. A dream place. There's no better place to wake up and start the day. And to enjoy a morning swim with a delicious coffee first thing". The water is crystal clear, the landing stage is located on a beautiful bank just a few steps away from the monastery building and the morning sun illuminates the scenery. Bruno Marthaler thinks it's a fantastic idea to offer a cruise on the three lakes. "I grew up here and am now returning to my homeland thanks to my new job. The whole region is uniquely beautiful. I can well imagine how relaxing it must be to glide across the water and unwind on board this boat. A great idea".
The fact that he can well imagine the Attila cruise is no coincidence. Bruno Marthaler himself worked as a chef on cruise ships for many years. "I spent a total of seven years on cruise ships. Very often on expeditions, for example to the Antarctic, or on really big cruisers. I also lived in Australia for a long time and worked in various places throughout Europe." But now he is back. After introducing an extensive organic range for the Glatz bakery in Bern in recent years, St. Peter's Island is his new professional home. "Together with my wife, I want to build something nice on St. Peter's Island once again. This includes a new, attractive offer in summer and winter, more regionality and, above all, it would also be a nice idea to settle a stork family," he says smiling in the morning sun and rightly adds "it's the most beautiful place to work in the world".
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Phone: +41 26 673 92 02
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