Wine Director Markus Utiger
Since the beginning of the new year, Trafo Baden has been pursuing a new philosophy for its drinks range and has brought in additional expertise for this purpose. With high-quality non-alcoholic products on the one hand and an increased focus on innovative winegrowers from the region on the other, Trafo is responding to a growing demand from guests and at the same time setting a new standard in event catering.
Wine Director Markus Utiger brings additional expertise and experience
Both the selection of non-alcoholic wine alternatives and the range of Aargau wines remain dynamic. In this way, the Trafo aims to react quickly to market trends and offer event organisers something new time and again, without compromising on the tried and tested.
To ensure this succeeds, Trafo Baden Betriebs AG has appointed Markus Utiger as Wine Director with effect from 1 January 2025. The owner of the Baden-based consulting firm ‘Tanninreich’ was the youngest graduate of the Austrian Wine Academy at the age of 27 and has more than 20 years of knowledge and experience in the wine and catering industry. As a trained adult educator, he is active in the conceptual development of courses with a federal certificate in addition to course management and uses his expertise to support wineries, restaurants and retailers in Austria and abroad.
Together with Vanessa Buffel and Sandra Degiacomi from the Trafo team, who both hold the internationally recognised WSET3 qualification from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, Markus Utiger ensures that event organisers at the Trafo receive the best advice not only on food but also on drinks, giving them additional security when organising their events.
Markus Utiger is looking forward to his task: «The needs of consumers are constantly changing, and we are seeing this with the AWA. Overall, the catering industry is still in its infancy. The seriousness with which the Trafo approaches this topic gives it a pioneering role. It sets a new standard in event catering. And that's why I'm happy to make my knowledge available.»
Dave's Whisky Pub am Swiss Whisky Festival
From 24 - 25 october 2024, the Swiss Whisky Festival (formerly Whisky Schiff) will be held at Trafo Baden for the fourth time.
To coincide with the festival, Trafo Baden will once again open its pop-up restaurant ‘Dave's Whisky Pub’, under the direction of Executive Chef Dave Otto.
The menu will once again include our four culinary highlights, plus an Irish coffee and an ice cream van. Our super sandwich with homemade pastrami on a rustico baguette and truffle mayonnaise will undoubtedly be the best seller again this year, closely followed by Martin's Red Lion spare ribs with whisky butter foam and caramelised celery and orange compote.
Pop-up catering is cool, guests and kitchen team will have a lot of fun with our concept again this year.
New Long Drink Prices
Since 2019, the Trafo Baden Congress Centre has been making a name for itself with its transparent and easy-to-calculate flat rates.
Following the switch to fixed margins for wines, long drinks will now be offered with staggered, volume-dependent discounts from 1 January 2024. Long drinks currently cost CHF 14 per drink, regardless of how many are ordered at an event. These are the new prices:
- CHF 14 / drink │ 1 to 100 drinks
- CHF 13 / drink │ 101 to 250 drinks
- CHF 12 / drink │ 251 to 400 drinks
- CHF 11 / drink │ more than 400 drinks
These prices include VAT of 8.1%, ice, lemon/lime and soft drinks (tonic, cola, etc.)
If you have any further questions about this novelty, please do not hesitate to contact our event consulting team.
