London Trained Chef, Peter Knogl, Awarded Third Michelin Star, Propelling Basel Onto the List of Top Haute Cuisine Destinations

Peter Knogl, Head Chef at the newly renovated Cheval Blanc Restaurant in the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, is the first Chef at a Swiss Hotel to be awarded three Michelin Stars.The Basel region now proudly boasts its first three-star Michelin restaurant and Cheval Blanc has gained in stature as a destination renowned for its gastronomy and haute cuisine. 

Only two other restaurants in Switzerland are included in this category: the Hôtel de Ville in Crissier and the Schloss Schauenstein in Fürstenau.

Knogl commented, "Of course I am delighted to be recognised in this way, it's a life-long dream come true.” Crediting his team, he added that he is very grateful for the high performance and tireless efforts produced each day for the sake of their guests at the Cheval Blanc. Thanking the family owners of the Grand Hotel, Knogl continued: "The Straumann family has supported me from day one as I have worked to reach my ambitious goals and with the Cheval Blanc they gave me the perfect setting in which to do this.”

Knogl has been very interested in cooking since his earliest memories. In 1984, he completed his apprenticeship as a chef at a hotel in Viechtach and went on to perfect his craft, training at some of Europe's most prestigious gourmet restaurants including Le Saveur in London, Tantris in Munich, the Tristan in Mallorca, Las Dunas Beach Hotel & Spa in Marbella, the Negresco in Nice, and the Mirador Kempinski above Vevey.

Peter Knogl has an impressive list of achievements. In December 2007, after being at the Cheval Blanc for only seven months, he received his first Michelin Star. Within his second year, he had cooked his way to a second Star and was awarded 18 GaultMillau points. In 2009, GaultMillau named him "Newcomer of the Year 2009" and "Chef of the Year 2011". In 2011, his cookbook, "ma cuisine passionnée", received the prestigious "Golden Laurel 2012" and the "Swiss Cookbook Oscar 2012" awards. In 2015, he was the first Head Chef at a Swiss hotel to be awarded 19 GaultMillau points – and became GaultMillau's "Chef of the Year" for the second time.

Peter Knogl's third Michelin star is both a recognition of success and an incentive for further development. Knogl will continue to fine tune his individual style, consistently aiming for perfection by combining the freshest ingredients whilst authentically retaining their intrinsic flavours. By doing this, he transforms the simple into something magnificent.