Tasteful light
Interview Philip Rachinger
Very few chefs deal with light and its effect on the guests’
experience. Award-winning chef Philip Rachinger is an
exception. His vision for the Mühltalhof restaurant – he
is the 6th generation running it – is to make people happy
every day. For him, this means thinking of every detail.
The cooking and the food are the main actors. With all the
increasing demands in fine dining, light plays a major role
in the guests’ overall experience.
The big challenge in redesigning the restaurant was to
create a contrast between the dark lounge and the bright
open kitchen. Consequently, the amount of light in the
restaurant had to be reduced, yet the food at the table still
had to be presented in a perfect light. The tables’ material
also needed to be super-bright. Each table was therefore
given its own spotlights. Thanks to intelligent lighting
control, the visit becomes a complete experience. Even
the path to the reserved table is celebrated. When the
guests arrive, the spotlight above their table is switched
on, showing the way. What follows is a good time at the
Mühltalhof – all because Philip Rachinger’s passion, the joy
of providing hospitality, is palpable.
Philip Rachinger
Gourmet chef and owner
of Mühltalhof hotel and restaurant
xal.com/project-muehltalhof
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