Momentum Ski has again chosen Courmayeur to host their eighth annual Mountain Gourmet Ski Experience created by Amin Momen and Heston Blumenthal. Foodies from around the globe will gather from March 16th to 19th to witness outstanding chefs cook gourmet dishes on the slopes of Mont Blanc.
Previous hosts include Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge and Momentum Ski’s own Heston Blumenthal, and this year’s lineup is just as exciting. Canadian chef Jonny Lake and Jean-Phillipe Blondet will headline for 2023. Both chefs will collaborate with leading sommelier Isa Bal to curate a pristine pairing menu. One chef’s dishes will embody classic upscale French cuisine, while the other will flex international favourites.
Location
Nestled on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, Courmayeur enchants its visitors with historic and sophisticated charm while surrounded by the alluring natural scenery. The gourmet festivities fit snugly within the town’s annual culinary month called Peak of Taste, offering refined Italian and global flavours. The car-free centre village welcomes guests to explore local shopping and dining. Courmeyeur’s restaurants boast a must-visit reputation among foodies, with warming and hearty Valle d’Aosta cuisine and a vast selection of Mont Blanc wines.
The Chefs and Sommelier
Jonny Lake started his career volunteering for the meals-on-wheels charity Santropol Roulant in Montréal, Quebec. Jonny’s love for feeding others led him to pursue a career as a chef, training at the Institut de Tourisme et d’Hôtellerie du Québec. He then moved to Italy, where he worked at the Michelin-starred A Spurcacciun-a and Quintilio and for the legendary Italian chef Gualtiero Marchesi at L’Albereta in Lombardy. Jonny moved to the UK in 2005 to join The Fat Duck team, became Head Chef in 2009, and eventually became Executive Head Chef.
Jean-Phillipe Blondet started his career studying hospitality before he found success in cooking. In 2013, he joined three Michelin starred Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester as Sous-Chef and became Head Chef within two years. In 2016, JP earned the Executive Chef title and continues to deliver world class three star cuisine. Jean-Phillipe believes “produce is the only truth. A turbot without a stroke of genius will always rise above having genius without a turbot. Produce, grown with love and respect, has an incomparable flavour. Without it, a chef is nothing.”
With over twenty years of experience, Isa Bal is recognised as one of the world’s leading sommeliers, having won the title of Best Sommelier of Europe in 2008, the highly-regarded Sommelier Award in the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2022, and Taittinger’s Gerard Basset Award 2022. He worked as Head Sommelier for The Fat Duck Group for more than twelve years and enjoys collaborating with the kitchen team to create exciting food and drink combinations. Isa and Jonny partnered on their successful restaurant Trivet, earning a Michelin star in 2022 and being featured in the National Restaurant Awards’ list of the top 100 restaurants in the UK.
The Itinerary
The event itinerary includes meet and greets with the headlining chefs, skiing, and lunch experiences by the mountainside, with dinner by candlelight on the powdery slopes. A flexible programme is also available so guests can curate their ideal gourmet escape. Each dinner is available to book separately, along with accommodations and flights to suit any guest.
Caffe Della Posta – Thursday 16th March
Visitors will be welcomed at the historic Caffè della Posta for a relaxed get-together with the chefs with small plates and wine pairings served by the fireside.
Les Dames Anglaises – Friday 17th March
The “London Meets the Mountains Signature tasting dinner” invites Jonny Lake and Jean Philippe-Blondet to treat guests to an incredible dining experience at a new slope-side restaurant, Les Dames Anglaises. The new restaurant welcomes guests with a modern alpine chalet style and a traditional yet innovative menu inspired by Andrea Matteotti, co-founder of La Bouche in Courmayeur. The six-course tasting experience will showcase London-starred chefs’ signature dishes with wine pairings by Isa Bal, accompanied by snowmobile transfers to and from the restaurant.
Les Dames Anglaises – Saturday 18th March
The “Michelin Starred Mountain Festa” dinner is a completely different winter-themed experience. The festa evening will come with a four-course tasting menu from the minds of both Jonny Lake and Jean-Philippe Blondet. Guests will receive a Sicilian olive oil tasting, a parting gift, and accompany the gourmet sustenance with drinks from mixologist Valentina Bianco of La Bouche. The night will be topped off with a live DJ set.
To discover more, visit: courmayeurmontblanc and Momentum Ski
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All images courtesy of Aosta Valley, Trivet, Italian Travel Bureau, iMontBlanc.