Starting 13 September, 11 acclaimed chefs, 21 Michelin stars, and 199 GaultMillau points converge across Lugano, Ascona, and Locarno. A milestone anniversary honouring Swiss culinary excellence and unveiling the festival’s next chapter.
A twenty-year legacy spanning over 400 signature evenings, with a historic tally surpassing 600 Michelin stars and 5,800 GaultMillau points: S.Pellegrino Sapori Ticino celebrates its landmark 20th edition, cementing its reputation as an international benchmark for haute gastronomy. From 13 September 2026, following two decades of building cultural bridges and creative exchanges with leading culinary masters worldwide, the festival returns home to celebrate Switzerland and its foremost chefs.
“When I launched the Sapori Ticino agency in 2007, aiming to promote exceptional hospitality through high-end gastronomy, I never imagined reaching this milestone,” says founder and CEO Dany Stauffacher. “It started as an ambitious bet among friends to elevate Ticino as a prime destination by pairing international culinary icons with local chefs and hoteliers. Michelin stars weren’t the focus back then, and few realized our region’s gastronomic depth. No one could have predicted that Ticino would become one of the most star-dense territories in the world per capita.”
The Evolution of the Swiss Gastronomic Landscape
Over the past two decades, Swiss dining has evolved from regional tradition into a modern, dynamic culinary movement rooted in sustainability, biodiversity, and terroir. This innovative spirit has deep Renaissance roots, tracing back to master chef Martino de Rossi—originally from the Blenio Valley and regarded as the father of modern cuisine—and is reflected in today’s figures: Michelin-starred restaurants in Switzerland grew from 84 in 2010 to over 145 today, alongside 880 establishments rated by GaultMillau.
The festival’s momentum relies on key industry partnerships—including Swiss Deluxe Hotels, Les Grandes Tables Suisses, GaultMillau, and the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne—establishing fine dining as a primary driver of year-round, culturally minded travel, supported by Switzerland Tourism, Ticino Tourism, and the regional boards of Lugano and Lago Maggiore.
As Christina Glaeser, Director of Switzerland Tourism in Italy, highlights: “Our goal is to promote year-round travel across Switzerland by spotlighting both iconic destinations and off-the-beaten-track itineraries, drawing discerning travellers who seek immersive experiences. S.Pellegrino Sapori Ticino aligns perfectly with this strategy: for twenty years, it has showcased Swiss culinary excellence internationally, serving as an exceptional platform to champion our gastronomy and elevate Ticino’s autumn appeal.”
The 20th Edition Lineup: 21 Michelin Stars and 199 GaultMillau Points
The 2026 programme gathers 11 top Swiss chefs boasting a combined total of 21 Michelin stars and 199 GaultMillau points: Tanja Grandits, Stefan Heilemann, Marcel Koolen, Reto Brändli, Kevin Fernandez, Franck Giovannini, Stéphane Décotterd, Pascal Steffen, Paolo Rota, Gilles Varone, and Silvio Germann.
Beginning in mid-September, these guest chefs will headline exclusive four-hands dinners hosted by their Ticinese peers across the canton’s premier properties and historic estates:
Lugano & Surrounds: Hotel Splendide Royal, Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola, Villa Principe Leopoldo, Casinò Lugano, Ristorante Ciani, Ristorante Seven, Moncucchetto, Ristorante Meta, Tenuta Castello di Morcote (Vico Morcote), and La Romantica Boutique Hotel (Melide).
Locarno, Ascona & The Valleys: Hotel Eden Roc (Ascona), Seven Toc Toc (Ascona), Hotel Belvedere (Locarno), Ristorante La Baia (Muralto-Locarno), and Ristorante Curzutt (Monte Carasso).
The official Grand Opening, featuring the chefs of Swiss Deluxe Hotels, will be held at Hotel Splendide Royal in Lugano, while the Final Party at La Romantica Boutique Hotel in Melide will unite the canton’s resident culinary figures. Special outreach events north of the Gotthard will also promote Ticinese wines and cuisine: on 13 October at EHL in Lausanne and on 27 October at the Grand Hotel du Lac in Vevey.
A New Chapter for Sapori Ticino
The twentieth edition marks a defining milestone, celebrating the festival’s legacy while setting the course for its future evolution.
“This year is above all a tribute to the journey shared over the past two decades, honouring Ticino and everyone who contributed to the success of S.Pellegrino Sapori Ticino,” concludes Dany Stauffacher.
“It is an edition rich in meaning: we have decided that the current festival format has fulfilled its natural cycle. This is by no means the end of our vision. On the contrary, the experience, relationships, and know-how built over these twenty years will evolve through new concepts adapted to the future of hospitality. Sapori Ticino will continue to promote Ticino as a destination defined by its unique Swiss Mediterranean lifestyle, warm hospitality, and rich enogastronomic landscape. The format may change, but the core values remain intact: passion, quality, innovation, and a deep love for Ticino. More than a conclusion, this marks the start of a new chapter.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of S.Pellegrino Sapori Ticino Press Office