Zug, 02.09.2020
Five culinary hotspots are nominated for the Gastro-Awards
For the 17th time, the biggest Swiss public award for gastronomy will be awarded by Best of Swiss Gastro (Bosg): the Gastro Awards. 145 companies from 19 cantons are competing in eight categories this year for the coveted prizes, which are now awarded by guests by rating the venues on the Bosg website.
Five Zug companies are also in the running for the Gastro-Awards this year: the "Freiruum" in Zug, the "Buechwäldli" in Morgarten, the "Kreuz" in Oberwil, the "La Strada" in Baar and the "Kolins Kitchen" – a food stand, which can also be found in the "Freiruum". "We were extremely pleased with the nomination," says Felipe Mulato, Managing Director of La Strada. "Our goal is to enchant our guests again and again with delicious Italian specialties. The nomination strengthens us in this idea, and gives us visibility throughout Switzerland."
The Gastro-Award should also serve to make new concepts better known, as Kim Grenacher, media officer of the "Freiruum", explains: "We are, of course, hoping to use the nomination to draw the attention of other cities throughout Switzerland to the concept of intermediate use." The "Freiruum" – the interim use in the Shedhalle on the LG site – offers a platform for the various food stalls, who can offer their dishes there.
More honest than the criticism on Internet platforms
The Zunfthaus Kreuz sees the evaluation process above all as an opportunity to receive honest feedback from customers – this is usually difficult to do on other platforms, such as TripAdvisor, due to the anonymity there. "But of course," says Cristian Hollatz of the "Kreuz", "we hope for more presence in the media, which is particularly important because of the corona pandemic." Although the last few months have been quite successful, an increased media presence would be quite beneficial in view of the coming winter.
The "La Strada", with managing director Felipe Mulato (left) and Chef de Service Giorgo, also hopes for the favour of their guests.
Patrick Grunder from the traditional Buechwäldli restaurant sees it similarly: The occasion offers a good opportunity for his restaurant, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary next November, to appear again in the media, and he adds: "It’s great if our work also receives appreciation through such a great award." But it is not just about winning, as Cristian Hollatz of the Kreuz points out: "We would, of course, be happy if we win, or if we re classed appeared in the first three, but we applied because we feel that the gastro awards are a good thing.
In order to motivate their guests to leave a positive review on the Bosg website, the companies have come up with some plans. "On site, we will use flyers on the tables and at the bar to draw attention to our participation in the Gastro Award, and will also spread this through our social media channels," explains Kim Grenacher from Freiruum. Patrick Grunder says that the "Buechwäldli" is focussing on personal exchanges with the guests:
"We try to motivate our satisfied guests, friends and suppliers as often as possible, so that they can nominate us and support us for this award." The corresponding QR codes can be found on the tables in the Zunfthaus Kreuz.
Something to celebrate after the corona pandemic
The "La Strada" also wants to draw attention to the action via social media, and make it easier for guests to rate them via their own website. "We would be very happy to win the award," says Felipe Mulato, adding: "It would be a good occasion to organise a "Grande Festa" in an Italian style – if the situation allows it again."