Rolf Fliegauf, who earned Ecco its second Michelin star in 2010, has been bidding farewell in his final months as head chef. Since the late 1990s, Giardino Ascona has been a pioneer in Swiss gastronomy, having been the first five-star hotel in the country to offer its guests a restaurant with a 17 Gault Millau rating.

A month after announcing Fliegauf’s departure, effective in early 2025, the Giardino Group, which also owns Giardino St. Moritz, has introduced Reto Brändli as his successor.

A New Era with a 33-Year-Old Talent

At 33, Brändli brings a wealth of experience to Ecco. He previously served as head chef at «Cà d’Oro» in the Grand Hotel Kempinski in St. Moritz, where he secured the restaurant's second Michelin star in just two years. Most recently, Brändli has been at the helm of the two-star «Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer» at the Hotel Adlon in Berlin.

According to a statement from the Giardino Group, Brändli is «renowned for his inventive approach to modern cuisine.» His dishes include bold, contemporary creations such as «Foie gras & lobster,» prepared using cutting-edge techniques like liquid nitrogen and a soldering iron.

«An Exceptional Chef and a Wonderful Personality»

Philippe Frutiger, CEO of the Giardino Group, praised Brändli's appointment, noting that he is well-acquainted with the regions of Ticino and Engadin, having spent four years honing his skills at Ecco’s sister locations. «Reto is not only an outstanding chef but also a wonderful personality,» said Frutiger.

Brändli's culinary career has taken him through prestigious kitchens under the tutelage of legends such as Andreas Caminada and the late Benoît Violier, preparing him for the top role at Giardino Ascona’s flagship restaurant.