Andreas Caminada: Culinary Excellence
American Express signs Swiss Michelin-starred chef as brand ambassador.
Everything you need to know at a glance
Andreas Caminada is one of Switzerland’s most renowned top chefs and has been an American Express Brand Ambassador in the Swiss market since June 2026. His restaurant “Schloss Schauenstein” in Fürstenau epitomizes alpine fine dining at the highest level and has been awarded three Michelin stars, as well as five toques and 19 points from GaultMillau.
In addition to his Michelin-starred cuisine, Caminada shapes the culinary scene through projects such as the vegetarian restaurant “Oz,” his magazine, the documentary series “Dinner Club,” and the youth foundation “Fundaziun Uccelin.” American Express Platinum Cardholders enjoy exclusive benefits such as a dining credit for “Schloss Schauenstein”
Caminada: A Jack-of-All-Trades: Multitalented Athlete Becomes American Express Ambassador
He is considered Switzerland’s most famous and best chef, is the founder of the “Fundaziun Uccelin” foundation for young talent, publishes a magazine bearing his name, hosts the documentary series “Dinner Club,” and has been American Express’s brand ambassador for the Swiss market since June 2026: Andreas Caminada is a true jack-of-all-trades.
“Culinary arts thrive on exchange—between people, places, and ideas. The collaboration with American Express creates new opportunities to highlight and further develop these connections,” says the top chef about his latest venture.
Caminada says of himself that he finds it extremely difficult to let go of anything, be it cherished dishes or entire projects. Yet there is no standing still for the Graubünden native, even though he recently admitted to being rather lazy and needing external motivation to devote himself fully to new things.
That’s hard to believe given that Caminada, born in 1977, became Europe’s youngest three-star chef at the tender age of 33 with his flagship restaurant “Schloss Schauenstein” in Fürstenau.
Interesting fact: Together with Andreas Caminada and American Express, we’re creating inspiring content and stories about cuisine, travel, and encounters. As a holder of the American Express Platinum Card, you’ll also receive exclusive access and benefits in Switzerland, such as a dining credit for “Schloss Schauenstein,” the two “Igniv” restaurants in Zurich and Andermatt, or Caminada’s vegetarian restaurant “Oz”
5 Hats for Alpine Elegance
Since the Caminada Group acquired the property, Caminada has become the owner of this gourmet mecca. In addition to its three Michelin stars, the restaurant has been awarded five GaultMillau toques and 19 out of a possible 20 points—the highest rating given to the world’s best restaurants. Caminada also operates other establishments, such as the vegetarian restaurant “Oz” next door.
Caminada, a passionate golfer who can still be found in the kitchens of his restaurants and is heavily involved in developing the menu, uses plants and herbs from the castle’s own garden for most of the dishes at “Schloss Schauenstein.” He reportedly has a selection of around 800 different plants here.
Caminada also believes that vegetables, fruits, and flowers hold the greatest potential for his cuisine. Even though his culinary roots lie in classic French haute cuisine, “Schloss Schauenstein” stands for Alpine fine dining that represents the region’s cuisine.
A meal as a sensory journey
According to Caminada, dining should be “a sensory journey” that lingers in the memory and brings happiness. For him, this journey often includes marinated fish, such as from Lake Walen, or perhaps veal tartare or Sisteron lamb.
Otherwise, it is the plant world that never serves merely as decoration here, but sets the tone: nasturtium, shiso, artichokes, eggplants, and, time and again, cabbage in all its variations. In addition to the finest ingredients, food requires intuition and a keen sense of taste—purist, rather than overloaded.
Nurturing talent with every bite
Thanks to Caminada, the small town of Fürstenau has become a destination for gourmets from all over the world. To ensure this remains the case, the father of two sons not only mentors the next generation in his private life but also supports young talent in the kitchen and service: in 2016, he and his wife Sarah founded the “Fundaziun Uccelin.”
Thanks to this foundation for young talent, around a dozen scholarship recipients each year gain insights into exceptional establishments in Switzerland and abroad over a 20-week period. Great gastronomy needs people who remain curious, work with precision, and love their craft—and this is precisely the attitude the foundation aims to foster.
If you’re interested in learning more about the people, products, and processes that shape the famous restaurant, you’ll find illuminating details in Caminada’s latest work, the book “Beyond Peaks.” The focus is not only on the recipes and creations of the kitchen team, but also on the stories and secrets of the producers.
Interesting fact: Two Swiss francs from the menu price at “Schloss Schauenburg” go directly to the youth foundation “Fundaziun Uccelin.”
Enjoy even more benefits with the Platinum Card
Would you like to discover more exciting restaurants? As a Platinum Cardholder from American Express, you’ll receive a credit of CHF 40 once a quarter when you spend over CHF 250 at a GaultMillau restaurant that accepts American Express.
In addition, you’ll enjoy additional benefits and amenities on your culinary journeys, such as perks at elegant hotels, complimentary access to airport lounges worldwide, and comprehensive travel insurance.
