The Austrian alps aren’t just popular for skiing. For seven weeks from 3 July, national and international chefs will take over the Tyrolean alps in an attempt to pamper their guests with all things culinary at the second Fine Food and Arts Festival. Artists will provide visual and auditory entertainment, for example Heidi Adair, who is scheduled to sing well-loved classics from the opera world at the alpine tapas event at the Hotel Arlberg Hospiz, or Ursula Beiler and Gebhard Schatz, who are sure to transfix audiences with their fire artistry at no less than four events.
The five founding hotels – Tannenhof, Arlberg Hospiz, Schwarer Adler, Waldhof and Sonnbichl – have decided to extend the initial four days of last year’s festival, due to its great success. More than 20 Michelin-starred chefs have committed to make a culinary appearance this year.
Every single event will be presented with a theme that was chosen by the chef. For example, Roswitha Kometers is going to present her Sunday Roast on 12 July, Stefan Dialer, head chef at Hotel Schwarzer Adler, will cook quail, chicken and duck under the headline Poultry & Co. on 4 July, and Nenad Mlinarevic will present alpine fresh-water fish with top wines from South Tyrol on 11 July.
But there will also be art events such as Jazz brunches, alpine breakfasts, musical concerts or art exhibitions as well culture walks. Most of the artworks will be crafted directly from nature, be it water, stone, wood or moss.
The festivals highlight will take place on 25 July with festival patrons Eckart Witzigmann, Heinz Winkler and Hans-Peter Wodarz. Guests will enjoy some live music while they are enjoying their aperitif, truffle tarte flambee by Reto Mathis, in the valley station, then a pod will take them up the mountain where and Eduard Hitzberger will present one course each. Guests will then continue up the mountain where they will be greeted with cheese delicacies from Tyrol and Vorarlberg, all accompanied by the finest wines. The Aftershow takes place back in the valley, letting the night come to a stylish close.
Tickets can be purchased from 7 April atwww.kulinarikkunst.org