Alexander Guggenbühl and Carlos Navarro, co-owners of restaurant Rechberg 1837, grew up together in Zürich. Guggenbühl has a background in business administration and business ethics, with a special focus on social entrepreneurship. Chef Navarro has held various positions throughout Switzerland (Mesa, Dolder, and Franzoli) and is passionate about organic and sustainable products.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? An evening spent with loved ones, food on the table, wine in the glass, music in the ear, and an honestly-earned hangover the next day.

What is the purest thing you have ever tasted? Water from a spring fountain in Wergenstein (a mountain village in Switzerland).

What is the best thing you can do with your hands? Give hugs!

What was your first experience with sustainable eating? A famers’ market stew my mother made on a cold winter night years ago. It tasted awful; ever since I strive to do it better! (Sorry mum).

What do you love most about what you do? Making people happy with pure and honest passion.

What is the dish on your menu that most engages you? William, our homemade sourdough bread.

What do you make from scratch? Everything.

Alexander Guggenbühl

How do you like to spend your day off? Rapping and knitting.

What does success mean to you? Being happy, being able to do you what you love every day, and sharing it with great people.

What is your current obsession, the thing you think about at 3am? Quantum physics and the Stormcloak Rebellion in (video game) The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Which producer or supplier really brightens your day? Math and Sam (Slowgrow.ch).

What talent would you most like to have? Being able to play the ukulele.

What do you think the future of food will look like? It will be focused on the microorganisms within the recipes.