Discover more SoToSo Restaurants!
Villa Hundert
Article in collaboration with the team VILLA HUNDERT
Eating with soil awareness
© Züriplausch, Sarah Blattner and Soil to Soul
At 1218 meters above sea level, on the sunny southern slope and surrounded by the idyllic mountain landscape in Engelberg, you'll find VILLA HUNDERT. While being in close proximity to nature in this peaceful environment, their innovative kitchen creates a harmony of flavors from seasonal and regional products.
The VILLA HUNDERT considers it their responsibility to cook sustainably and thereby inspire their guests. By cultivating close relationships with local suppliers and producers, they ensure that every ingredient reflects the highest standards of quality, care, and respect for the land. This commitment extends to the carefully curated wine list, which features selections from winemakers whose offerings are true to their origins and terroir.
The kitchen’s seasonal approach brings the flavors of each time of year to life:
Spring brings young, fresh, and pure flavors from the forest and farms around Engelberg. The first shoots emerge from the snow, cows give birth to calves, and sheep to lambs. It is the season of life and awakening, reflected in the menus.
Summer has a slightly more mature and sweeter taste, where the purity of the products comes to the forefront. If you decide to hike to VILLA HUNDERT during the summer months, you'll likely pass up to twenty different wild plants, which you can experience in the evening menu of your choice.
Autumn has a hearty, rich, and smoky taste. Slowly but surely, the preserves of the past two months are nibbled on. This is also the time when VILLA HUNDERT turns to the tasty roots and plants that have matured underground during the summer. The last frozen herbs and mushrooms from the forest are also processed.
Winter is the time when VILLA HUNDERT delves into the stock of ferments and preserves. What once sprouted from the ground is now an explosion of complex flavors. These are combined with the fish thriving in the cold waters of the Swiss lakes and the meat of the animals that have fed on the purest Alpine grasses and herbs during the blooming months.
FOCUS TOPICS
Seasonal & Regional Cuisine
At VILLA HUNDERT, only seasonal and regional products are used in cooking. This conscious choice ensures not only freshness and quality but also fosters a connection with nature and the local community.
Food Waste / Food Utilization
VILLA HUNDERT strive for a zero-waste policy, where all parts of plants and animals are utilized. This holistic use of food effectively reduces food waste and contributes to a more sustainable cooking practice.
Sustainability in Kitchen and Restaurant Equipment
This process is still under development. However, efforts are already being made to source as much as possible locally.
Organic Products and/or Other Sustainable Labels
Most of the ingredients used at VILLA HUNDERT are certified organic.
Vegetarian / Plant-Based Cuisine
In the menu of VILLA HUNDERT, alongside delicious meat dishes, there are always vegetarian options available. Purely vegan dishes are not offered.
Well-Being of Employees
Teamwork and caring for each other are considered essential. As a newly opened restaurant, there may be times when employees are slightly more challenged. However, this is compensated for as much as possible through additional vacation days to ensure a balanced work-life balance.
Use of Fresh and Minimally Processed Foods and Relationship with Local Producers
To ensure the highest quality and best taste, 100% of the food is fresh. A large portion of the products is sourced directly from local farmers.
THEIR PRODUCERS
-
Bio-Hof Wydacher
Vegetables
The organic farm Wydacher is located at the entrance of the Engelberg-valley between the Stanserhorn and Buchserhorn. In addition to dairy farming, vegetables have been grown since the 1990s, which we market ourselves. The farm has been Bio Suisse certified since 1995. Our fresh organic vegetables are available in the farm shop. In addition, we offer a wide range of products such as dried meat, milk, eggs, cheese, and dry goods in organic bud quality. -
Holzen Fleisch GmbH
Meat
«...only the best!» - behind this motto lie the most significant focuses of HOLZEN FLEISCH GMBH. They advocate exclusively for sustainable and natural meat production for their products. With a lot of attention to detail and the necessary expertise, the raw material is refined into top quality." -
Buuregarte Boog
Vegetables
For five generations, the farm has been cultivated with great passion in the fertile Reussebene near Hünenberg. Sweet berries and crisp vegetables are cultivated here. The natural and seasonal products are sold directly from the farm, among other places.
To offer their customers delicious berries, fruits, and crisp vegetables, a lot of passion and energy are invested in the cultivation of high-quality, healthy natural products. Here, curiosity prevails, and there is always an attempt to complement existing crops with new or valuable old varieties. The diverse range is rounded off with personally selected delicacies.