Christian Kuchler comes to Lake Constance

BOTTIGHOFEN: Christian Kuchler becomes the tenant of the Schlössli restaurant in Bottighofen TG. He places the management of the kitchen in the hands of a young lady with plenty of talent and excellent references.

Ambitious cuisine with a Mediterranean flair, a large wine and champagne list, a relaxed atmosphere, a direct lakeside location, 60 indoor and 60 outdoor seats: These are the key features of Christian Kuchler's new restaurant, which will open its doors in April 2025. The tenant, who is well known in Thurgau, is responsible for the basic culinary direction of the restaurant at the Schlössli, while Monika Huber will be the chef on site.

The 27-year-old South Tyrolean has been part of Kuchler's brigade at the Taverne zum Schäfli since the beginning of 2022 and has her boss raving. He says: "Moni has worked in every position over the past two and a half years and has absorbed the Schäfli DNA. Now she's ready for the next step in her career." Before joining Schäfli, which has been awarded 18 Gault Millau points, the designated Schlössli chef cooked for Dieter Koschina at the Vila Joya in Portugal and the legendary Tantris in Munich, both two-star restaurants.

Christian Kuchler is sending 34-year-old Jonas Volpert to Lake Constance as managing director, sommelier and restaurant manager. He is currently deputy to restaurant manager and sommelier Fabian Mennel at Schäfli. Before that, he worked at the Fischerhaus in Kreuzlingen for four years. "Jonas is a passionate restaurateur, an expert when it comes to wine and knows the Lake Constance region inside out from his time in Kreuzlingen. That makes him the ideal person for this demanding job," explains Kuchler.

And how did the 18-point chef come to expand his gastronomic portfolio, which also includes consulting for the Alfred Keller restaurant on the Croatian island of Losinj? "I had been talking to Philipp Schwarz, the owner of the Schlössli, for some time. I'm delighted that we're now working together," says Kuchler. "The restaurant has enormous potential - and the most beautiful terrace on Lake Constance with two large umbrella planters. Fine dining in the classic sense is not planned at the Schlössli. There will be no amuse-bouches, for example. But we want to cook with the same uncompromising quality standards as at the Schäfli. If there's a red sign next to the door next autumn, all the better."

Wirtschaft am Schlössli is located directly on Bottighofen harbour, a ten-minute walk from the train station. It is just five minutes by car from Kreuzlingen and Constance to the restaurant, which has 30 parking spaces. In addition to the normal restaurant business, Christian Kuchler would also like to organise regular events at the Schlössli.