If anyone deserves the Lifetime Award, it's Bruno," emphasized Bruno Hunkeler's longtime friend Peter Roth after the award ceremony. After Roth, Hunkeler is only the second Barkeeper to receive the award - deservedly - in the 20-year history of the SWISS BAR AWARDS.
"The award was a big surprise for me," explains Bruno Hunkeler. The applause and the many congratulations from the friends and guests of the Swiss Bar Awards touched the recipient of the Lifetime Award: "It was balm for the soul".
How Bruno Hunkeler discovered the bar scene
Hunkeler was born in Urswil-Hochdorf on October 11, 1953, one of seven children. Even during his childhood, he spent a lot of time at his aunts' inn. "That's when I realized early on that sooner or later I would end up in the hotel business to earn my living. It worked out, and I would do it again," says the passionate skier and jasser.
After completing his commercial apprenticeship in Hochdorf, he attended various courses at the Hotel Management School in Lucerne. He completed internships in all sectors of the Swiss luxury hotel industry as well as at The Connaught Hotel in London. As a bartender and chef de bar, he was responsible for the Bürgenstock, the Flüela Hotel in Davos, the Palace in Lucerne, the Dracula Club in St. Moritz and, most recently, for a total of 17 years as bar manager at the Grand Resort in Bad Ragaz.
Large network of bar culture friendships
In all these years, loyalty and respectful, humane treatment of employers as well as his employees have always been particularly important to him. His most significant professional step is the promotion from Barkeeper to Chef de Bar at Bürgenstock, linked with the responsibility for all hotel bars.
During his time as president of the SBU, he makes many acquaintances with national as well as international bartenders. "This also led to many friendships that I still cultivate," Hunkeler thinks back. A great example, he says, are events like the Swiss Bar Awards, where guests, whether Barkeeper, sponsoring partners or friends of cultivated bar culture, feel like they're at a big family reunion. "Wonderful!" he emphasizes.
"Yesterday, as today, you have to be born to be a good host!"
Bruno Hunkeler
After 38 years now comes a new time
Bruno Hunkeler has remained loyal to gastronomy and in particular to the luxury hotel industry for 38 years. He lives with his long-time partner Evelyn and their "Westy lady" (West Highland Terrier, editor's note) Ruby in the tranquil village of Fürigen with a fantastic view of the lake and the mountains.
Since his retirement, Bruno Hunkeler has more time for walks, gardening, skiing. And now and then, time to visit various bars or try out the odd cocktail there. Occasionally he wants to continue acting as a juror, but above all to enjoy life.
Bruno Hunkeler's view of today's bar world
When he looks at the world of bars, he finds that professional demands have changed little. "True, there are more laws and regulations to consider, which are challenging for many restaurateurs. But the demands to follow a successful path have always been high. Yesterday, as today, you have to be born to be a good host," he says, speaking from experience.
Giving advice is not his thing, he says. "But a solid education and internships in the hospitality industry are still the most important things for me. A stay abroad to improve language skills and get to know new concepts can be decisive for anyone Barkeeper ," he would give young people along the way.
The reputation of Barkeeper as well as the gastronomic professions themselves has definitely improved thanks to the media and new training modules and image campaigns by the hotel and catering professional associations, he says. The Lifetime Award winner is grateful that he is still fit and healthy despite his formative 38 years in the luxury hotel industry. He takes pleasure in the many fond memories of a sometimes crazy time with regulars, well-run bars with professional bartenders, where quality can be felt both in the glass and behind the bar. "You feel like you've arrived there and you feel good all around". This is also what has given him the greatest pleasure in his work: happy and satisfied guests - an extraordinary as well as human host manner, which Bruno Hunkeler has internalized like almost no other and has lived out over all these years.
This article appeared in
Issue 5-2022
BAR NEWS magazine as single issue
