Star pastry chef in-house – a honey cookie for everyone
It all started with a sweet thought and a touch of nostalgia – or rather, a craving for a good moment.
Meike Bambach, host at the BelArosa Chalet, has always had a sweet side. Her grandfather ran a fantastic patisserie in Münster, where she spent her holidays whenever possible. This passion continues to this day: "We wanted to welcome our guests with a sweet surprise that instantly puts them in a good mood." Said and done.
A powerful duo
The idea for this sweet "welcome" came from a good friend of the house: Christian Hümbs. He and Meike Bambach have been friends for many years. The two worked closely together back in the day at the renowned 5-star Louis C. Jacob hotel on the Elbchaussee in Hamburg. Both share a passion for sweet delicacies. Hümbs went on to have a stellar career, most recently as pastry chef at the Dolder Grand in Zurich, where his dessert buffets are legendary. He is also a well-known personality and expert as a TV judge. And so, Hümbs and Bambach invented a soul cookie for the BelArosa Chalet that instantly puts you in a good mood.
A cookie that tastes like a holiday
"It’s the little things that make a stay unforgettable: the scent of freshly baked goods, a cup of coffee in the afternoon, or a sweet moment of indulgence after a day in the mountains. We wanted to capture exactly that feeling," says Christian Hümbs. During his stay at the BelArosa Chalet, the award-winning pastry chef developed a sweet creation that combines craftsmanship, regional ingredients, and chalet coziness.
The great tinkering – not too sweet, but moist
Before the honey cookie found its perfect form, there was plenty of experimenting, refining, tasting, and tweaking until it was deemed perfect. Christian Hümbs worked alongside BelArosa Chalet head chef Daniel Burkhardt, who also has a sweet tooth. The result is a creation that is slightly crispy on the outside and wonderfully moist on the inside – not too sweet, but full of delicate flavors. It is made with carefully selected ingredients such as honey from the Schanfigg valley, Swiss chocolate, alpine butter, and fresh cream. Each cookie is baked fresh daily, making it much more than just a small pastry – it is part of the chalet experience. Guests enjoy the honey cookie during their stay and can take one home in a beautifully designed box as a sweet souvenir. "Honest craftsmanship, warm hospitality, and attention to detail – that’s what defines us. Often, the most beautiful holiday moments are hidden in the little things. And sometimes, a single bite is enough to feel like you're back in the mountains," says Meike Bambach.
Perfectly paired
A special moment of indulgence also thrives on the right accompaniment. Whether paired with coffee or wine, the honey cookie reveals its own character in very different ways. The perfect coffee-cookie moment is provided by the Lucerne-based roastery "Rast Kaffee", which created a special roast exclusively for the BelArosa Chalet. Those who prefer to end the evening with a glass of wine will find the perfect companion in the Chardonnay from Castello Luigi in Besazio, Ticino. Both the roastery and the winery share the same values as the BelArosa Chalet: genuine craftsmanship, the highest quality, and a great love for detail.
Christian Hümbs – on first-name terms with the BelArosa Chalet
He lives in Zurich, Hamburg, and the Hunsrück region.
Many know him from the screen, where he delivered his precise judgments as a judge on "Das große Backen": Christian Hümbs .
Multiple-time Pastry Chef of the Year and a friend of the house. From 2019 to 2021, he served as Head Pastry Chef at The Dolder Grand in Zurich before launching his own business and appearing as a judge on television shows, including the Sat.1 program "Das grosse Backen." In 2023, he was a guest judge for the season finale of "The Sweet Taste," and in 2025, he appeared on Stefan Raab's show. Hümbs caused a stir on the island of Sylt, where he pioneered desserts featuring vegetables and herbs with reduced sugar content.
For the BelArosa Chalet, Hümbs—who has a deep love for nature and the mountains—drew inspiration from the fresh, aromatic mountain air of Arosa. "I love private hideaways like this wonderful chalet. My creations are always a response to the atmosphere that permeates a special place like this. The wood and stone radiate comfort, peace, and coziness. That’s why we wanted to create a substantial cookie with a refined bite and the perfect texture—somewhere between firm and soft."
The master himself won't reveal the recipe. But one thing is certain: it tastes incredible. And how!
