Gourmet cuisine - Martin Köhl
 

Gourmet hotel with Gault Millau cuisine in South Tyrol

Out of enthusiasm for what is good

Each chef has his or her own signature, which is reflected in the dishes and unfolds on the palate of the happy guests. At only 28 years of age and a lot of experience under his belt, Martin Köhl seized his chance: he became head chef at the Sonnalp Connoisseur hotel in the Dolomites. Being able to run his own kitchen and realise his own dreams, as well as our decision to put our trust in him, was a decision that both sides have never regretted, even after 25 years.

 

Gault&Millau – 3 Toques

Gault&Millau is one of Europe’s leading restaurant guides. Three toques represent a high level of culinary expertise, creativity and product quality. Only the kitchen is assessed.

to the award

to Gault&Millau

 

Connoisseur Circle

Connoisseur Circle specialises in exclusive travel and luxury hospitality. Its annual hotel rating combines guest reviews, public voting and the assessment of an expert jury. An award confirms above-average quality in service, facilities and the overall guest experience.

to the award

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Falstaff

Falstaff is a renowned gourmet and wine magazine. Its restaurant guide evaluates food, beverages, service and ambience. A high score is regarded as a recognised mark of quality.

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Tomato & Fish Fish and potato

From beginning …

During his apprenticeship as a young chef, he worked in various top restaurants throughout South Tyrol and could learn from many masters of his trade. After a few stays abroad, including Munich, Alsace and Spain, he developed and perfected his own style.

“Quality ingredients and quality products are the stars of the kitchen. The focus is on the essentials, namely an unadulterated, natural taste.”

Martin Köhl

… to becoming

Today our gourmet hotel in the Dolomites is known for its gourmet cuisine and head chef Martin Köhl as the master of his trade. Having grown up in the Val d’Ega, he has always been very knowledgeable about the culinary possibilities of his home town. He breathes new life into old recipes, focuses on a simple but consistently creative cuisine that delights with natural flavours and surprises with originality. We would say that he is a true culinary craftsman, and Gault Millau, which has awarded him three toques, also says so.

“When guests approach us hosts and recommend their current favourite dish, we know what good Sonnalp cuisine is all about.”

Host Sabine

Gault & Millau
Martin Köhl Dumpling Dish - Hotel Sonnalp

Regional treasure trove

All the ingredients and products that we use come from the region and the rest of northern Italy: from local producers, local farmers not to forget those from our chef’s well-stocked herb garden. Nothing escapes his trained eye, and the products are selected with great care.

A small selection of our partners:

  • Berries | Burgstallerhof (Nova Ponente)
  • Cheese | Learnerhof cheese dairy (Nova Ponente)
  • Organic vegetables and tomatoes | Eisathhof (Nova Ponente)
  • Eggs | Bacherhof (Ega) & Badstuberhof (Nova Ponente)
  • Honey & honey liqueurs | Oberkorerhof (Ega)
  • Bread | Pichler bakers (Ega)
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
Who is the head chef at the Sonnalp?

Head chef Martin Köhl has led the Sonnalp kitchen for around 29 years; he joined at the age of 28 and has given the gourmet cuisine his signature ever since.

How many Gault Millau toques does the Sonnalp have?

Martin Köhl’s cuisine holds three Gault Millau toques – one of the guide’s highest distinctions and a sign of consistently high quality.

What defines Martin Köhl's cuisine?

It is unfussy and creative, focused on natural flavours. “Quality ingredients are the stars of the kitchen,” says the chef – old recipes are reinterpreted.

Where do the ingredients in the Sonnalp kitchen come from?

Many come from the region and northern Italy: from local farmers and producers, such as berry, cheese and organic vegetable farms in Nova Ponente and Ega.

What role does the chef's herb garden play?

Martin Köhl tends his own herb garden; fresh herbs shape many dishes and underline a natural, unadulterated taste.

Does the Sonnalp kitchen blend alpine and Italian influences?

Yes, Martin Köhl combines South Tyrolean roots with northern Italian and Mediterranean influences into a distinctive, regionally rooted style.

Which awards and guides list the Sonnalp?

Besides three Gault Millau toques, the hotel features in Falstaff, the Connoisseur Circle, Selected Hotels and the Genießerhotels.

Is the Sonnalp a gourmet hotel?

Yes, the Sonnalp is a Gault Millau gourmet hotel in South Tyrol; the award-winning toque cuisine is the heart of the house.

How has the gourmet cuisine at the Sonnalp evolved?

After stints in South Tyrol and abroad (Munich, Alsace, Spain), Martin Köhl developed his own style and has led the kitchen at toque level for over 28 years.

Is there a sample menu of the gourmet cuisine?

Yes, a current sample menu and the wine list are available as PDFs on our website, giving you a taste of the cuisine in advance.