Of course Nenad is still strongly connected to Switzerland and still works very closely with several Swiss suppliers with whom he has built strong relationships over the years. This is also one of the reasons that he has chosen to partner with Victorinox. “A Victorinox knife was the first knife I held in my hands when I was 16 years old and starting my training. So I feel a special bond with this brand. These knives have been an authentic part of my journey so far”.
The partnership has also allowed us to be part of Nenad’s exciting project at Die Stadthalle, where he is exclusively using our new Swiss Modern range both in the kitchen and at the table. Much as Nenad himself has done with his new venture, we’ve taken our winning kitchen knife formula (combining quality, functionality and design) and given it a fresh, contemporary spin. The Swiss Modern knives with their ergonomic walnut handles are a perfect match for the minimal and sleek setting of Die Stadthalle.
As Nenad points out “A quality knife is an absolute must for any chef and one of the most important tools of the trade. It’s just like being a traveling salesman – you need a good car or you can’t do the job properly. If you’re a chef, it’s simply not possible to create perfect dishes without a precise knife in your hands”.
Making People Happy
This isn’t the first time we’ve talked to Nenad. We’ve been watching his career closely over the past couple of years because his commitment to excellence, innovation and quality strongly mirrors our own values. For us, he’s the perfect partner because of the common mindset we share: “I like to have a firm foundation which provides a certain amount of security. This forms the solid base which then gives me the freedom to focus on creativity and innovation. This in turn helps me to reach different types of diners and basically make more people happy”.
So now he’s ticked off a successful pop-up restaurant in Zürich off his To Do list, what’s next for the top chef? “I enjoy variety and challenge. I don’t want things to get boring” says Nenad. A private atelier experience, offers of collaborations from around the world and a cookbook are all on the cards. But Nenad is not necessarily looking for the fame and glory of fine dining: “I dream of doing a very simple ramen bar, or a coffee shop with a great bakery where people can come with their laptops and just hang out”.
Although Die Stadthalle has now closed its doors, Nenad and team are taking over the Bauernschänke in Zürich as of mid-March 2018. We are excited to see how this traditional restaurant will be transformed in the hands of this young, dynamic team.
