If you know me, I am a fan of shopping locally. And to me, that means finding gifty things, ideas, and experiences in Switzerland. Here are a few local ideas for that foodie on your list.
My recommendations from my previous years still hold true (linked at the bottom of this post), but here are a few new discoveries.
Cantani Creations
I love all of the self-services in Switzerland. In Suisse Romande, they are EVERYWHERE. I love discovering artisan products and subsequently, buying directly from the farm. Meet Tanya of Cantani Creations. She grows everything she makes and is the force behind the Self des Amoureux in Puidoux.
As the wife of a horticulturist-landscaper, she exclusively uses products from her own gardens (and maple syrup straight from Canada) to delight your taste buds. Her products are available at the Self des Amoureux in Puidoux and in a few other places around the Canton.
Cantani Creations
Tania Chevalley
+41 79 820 95 21
Primrose Secret Garden
I met Jennifer Rohr in person last year when she co-hosted the Edible Switzerland table at my son’s school’s marché de Noel. A true force of nature. She is a fellow Canadian who ended up with a secret organic garden just outside of Neuchatel.
From pure honey and delectable condiments to beeswax wraps, candles, and luxurious organic soaps, each item is handcrafted in the on-site culinary laboratory. All ingredients are sourced from their BioSuisse-certified organic beehives and lush gardens.
I can personally recommend the beeswax wraps. Every wrap is handmade with organic wax from Primrose Secret Garden hives. You can use the heat of your hands to mould your wraps over, under, or around whatever you’d like to cover. There are four different sizes to suit all of your food storage needs. The wraps are reusable for up to a year and re-waxable for a lifetime. Order a pack of 4 (one of each size) and save 20%.
Primrose Secret Garden
Bio-Suisse beehives and homemade organic products
Isovin
A new artisan who just came on my radar: Isovin, where sustainability meets elegance. Inspired by the best that the Valais region has to offer, Isovin insulated flasks are crafted in a traditional yet modern manner.
Made from beechwood, known for its insulating properties, these flasks keep bottles cool. A natural and ecological object with refined aesthetics, it will find its place on your table and contribute to your best moments of conviviality.
With natural insulating power, Isovin keeps your beverages cool for over an hour. Produced in a small artisanal workshop, these pots reflect a blend of tradition and modernity. If you are looking for a unique gift for a foodie who also loves Swiss wine, check out these beautifully-crafted insulated flasks.
You can find José or Léonard at the Marché de la vieille ville de Sion on Fridays or just visit their website.
ISOVIN
Keep your bottles cool
Artisanal – Natural – Ecological.
Producers: José and Léonard Granges
Vinaigrerie-Moutarderie du Grand-Pré
When I made some apèro baskets during the COVID years, I sourced some hyper-local products. Many of which I found in the self-services around where I live. The one thing that people asked for again and again were these mustards from the Vinaigrerie-Moutarderie du Grand-Pré.
Established in Cottens (VD) in 2000, they specialize in artisanal mustard and vinegar production. They take pride in working with local producers and crafting products without chemical additives. They offer various ranges of traditional mustards, vinegars, and oils. If you are in the area, call ahead and plan a visit.
Vinaigrerie-Moutarderie du Grand-Pré Artisan Moutardier
Producer : Bertrand Boesch
Chemin du Sau 2, 1116 Cottens
Vaud
A tasting tour of Switzerland–with 25 artisan distillers
Take a journey through the Swiss spirits landscape with your loved ones from the comfort of your own home. Visit each distillery virtually with this custom map. Our Craft Distillers Box takes you on a journey through the world of innovative Swiss spirits. Taste the high-quality drinks such as gin, rum, whisky, liqueur, absinthe, vodka and vermouth in the comfort of your own four walls.
You can taste and discover the variety of Swiss spirits from the 25 numbered 2 cl bottles. In the BOX you will also find a brochure with exciting information about all products and producers (in German). Actual content and descriptions are also available on the internet in English and other languages.
A tasting tour of Switzerland — through 25 artisanal distilleries
Fiskskaldjur
Foodie member: Joakim Hvarfvenius of Fiskskaldjur, has brought quality seafood from the Gothenburg market in Sweden to Switzerland. Originally recommended by MasterChef Suisse runner-up: Christian Nilson, Joakim is present at different local markets (Morges, Lausanne, Neuchatel, Zurich). This December, though, he is only in Morges on Saturdays
Check out his fresh seafood (a rare speciality in Switzerland). It may not really be a gift as such, but if you are a foodie chef and you are hosting this holiday, he’s definitely going to have something unique for your menu.
Fiskskaldjur
Quality fresh seafood from Sweden
Producer: Joakim Hvarfvenius
Sion Market, Fridays
Morges Market, Saturdays
Vermont Maple
Foodie group member James Jennings has a family-run maple syrup farm in Vermont. Each year, he returns to Vermont for the sugar run and produces quality amber and dark maple syrups which he then brings back to Switzerland and sells online at at some markets. Read about how he makes it on his blog.
He can be found at various farmer’s markets in Switzerland.
- Lausanne Saturday- on rue Centrale near C&A
- Wednesdays, in Martigny
- Thursdays in Sion
Check out his Facebook and Instagram pages. Ask him for his recipe cards.
Vermont Maple
Artisanal small batch maple syrup from Vermont. Unexpected flavours that delight the senses.
Producer: James Jennings
Buy online or at the markets.
Edelwhite Gin
I am a huge fan of women-owned businesses. Especially in Switzerland. ESPECIALLY when her story starts when she turned 50! Barb White Grossenbacher started Edelwhite Gin: the Spirit of the Swiss Alps – captured, distilled & bottled using 14 local botanicals from the UNESCO biosphere reserve Entlebuch near Lucerne.
You can enjoy her award-winning gin in a variety of ways:
Gifting an actual bottle of this award-winning gin or anyone of her amazing products. Buy it from the distillery in … or buy it online.
Tour the distillery and create your own gin & tonics at the distillery bar: Discover the world of Edelwhite Gin and find out how the aromas of the botanicals get into the bottle. We will show you how gin is distilled in our distillery in Entlebuch and you can taste our gin. You have the choice between different options.
Participate in a workshop: Learn the fine art of gin distilling at the Edelwhite Gin distillery: Visit the Edelwhite Gin distillery in picturesque Ebnet, in the middle of the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch. Visit our distillery, where handcraft is still very important and find out everything about the history of gin. We’ll tell you some secrets to making an award-winning gin (and vodka).
Book a gin tasting: Decide for yourself how the gin tasting should take place. Visit Barb in at her distillery or she can bring the gin tasting to you at the desired venue. Whether it’s a private event, a company event or a special occasion – you can decide.
Edelwhite Gin Distillery
Vertible spirit of the Swiss landscape
Producer: Barb White Grossenbacher
Well, that’s what I have for you today foodies! Let me know if you like any of my foodie finds for 2023.
Big fat foodie hugs,
Jennifer
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About the author: Jen Burke
Travel & experience designer, editor, foodie, digital professional
Mother of two boys, #SEOnerd, foodie, traveller. Fun fact: I grew up at Mile 906.8 Alaska Highway, Yukon, Canada.
I love food & wine & being outdoors. Edible Switzerland is my passion project. Here I want to connect food lovers (locals and tourists) to the best resources we can find anywhere in Switzerland.
When I’m not working on Edible Switzerland or moderating the Foodies in Switzerland group or the #SwisswineLovers group, I have a digital concierge agency with a few clients all over the world.
Do you appreciate my efforts? I’d be grateful if you bought us a coffee (5 CHF) Or even better, a drink (10 CHF). OR simply TWINT a donation (+41792489892) for the tip jar. Your donations will help us finance the development of future food, Swiss Wine, Swiss Craft Beer, and foodie experiences & touring projects.