A top Swiss chef has been branded “disgusting” and “mentally ill” for serving a dish made from marmot, an animal legally hunted in local woods and closely related to the groundhog.
The backlash erupted in Nendaz, Switzerland, where GaultMillau-rated chef Adrien Lopez of the restaurant Vieux-Nendaz came under fire on 11th November when the dish was served.
Both the groundhog, found in North America, and the Alpine marmot, found in Switzerland, are species of marmot. When reports about the chef’s “groundhog dish” were revealed. He was bombarded with negative reviews and abuse on social media.
The restaurant had been celebrated in October with 13 GaultMillau points, but the praise quickly turned to condemnation after diners noticed ‘Marmotte a la royale’ on the menu.
Animal activists who are opposed to hunting the animal posted angry reviews and comments across social media platforms, calling his cooking “appalling” and accusing him of being “mentally ill”.
GaultMillau, the influential restaurant and gourmet guide, wrote on its website that the online post “brought the small restaurant a flood of unfair comments on Google and in the social networks.”
Chef Lopez tried to defend himself by pointing out that hunting marmots is “completely legal” and the meal is a traditional staple of Swiss cuisine.
He said: “I understand that some people criticise hunting. But it’s not fair to attack a small business for it and bombard it with negative comments. We don’t kill hundreds of animals every year.”
After the abuse continued, Lopez contacted Google, which later deleted the most hostile reviews.
Only two people work at Au Vieux Nendaz, Lopez explained, adding. “I’m in the kitchen and do everything – from cooking to washing up.
“My wife works in the front of house; she also does everything – from reception to being a sommelier.”
Lopez suspects that the marmot on the menu evokes so many emotions because many people have a special connection to the animal.
He says: “They are often associated with cuteness and are a symbol of the Alps.”
He now worries about the future of his Michelin-recognised restaurant, adding. “Such bad reviews can destroy a small restaurant.”
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below. Story By: Michael Leidig, Sub-Editor: Simona Kitanovska, Agency: newsX
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