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Michael Kloeti chef/owner of Michael’s on the Hill, one of our favorite restaurants, has just been named Vermont Chef of the Year by the Vermont Hospitality Council, a part of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Vermont is blessed with many hundreds of fine restaurants so winning this award is a major achievement.

Michael was born and raised in Switzerland although he has been in this country about 15 years. He got his culinary education in Switzerland. Since moving to the US, has worked at the four star Lespinasse in NYC; the Koele Lodge in Lanaii, Hawaii; and New York City’s St. Regis Hotel.

Michale’s on the Hill has been our favorite restaurant since it opened five years ago in Waterbury Center, about 15 minutes from our inn. We highly recommend it to our guests who are looking for a top quality dining experience.

The food is outstanding but unpretentious. This is a restaurant for food lovers not those interested in a showy display. It is American cuisine with a European influence. Michael makes no secret of the fact that the foundation to his food preparation is the use of fresh ingredients. He has been an area leader in the Vermont Fresh Network (an organization of farmers and chefs), The Slow Food Movement, and Local First Vermont. Michael’s consistently gets enthusiastic reviews from our guests.

Michael’s wife and business partner is Laura Kloeti. She has a bachelor’s degree in Restaurant Management from Syracuse University, and also attended the The Culinary Institute of America in NYC. She has worked as a chef and manager in various hotels and restaurants in Switzerland, New York City, Hawaii and Vermont. Laura most often makes the deserts for the restaurant.

Cooking classes - an unusual opportunity to learn from a master chef.

Most chefs of Michael’s caliber do not want to work with people who have not had years of training. However, Michael has a strong passion about food preparation and loves to teach an appreciation for it. He is enthusiastic about sharing solid food preparation methods with people who really want to learn no matter what their level of expertise.

Six class options are offered including A Taste of Vermont; an Extravagant Lunch; Hors d’oeuvres; A Dinner Party;
and others. See the cooking classes page on the website for full details including prices.

(c) 2007 Jeff Connor Grunberg Haus

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