From a good family

Zoltán Gottwald, the co-owner of Hotel Gottwald in Tata and member of MVI’s (Guild of Hungarian Restaurateurs) presidency is characterised by traditional values and a modern way of thinking.

• You run a successful hotel: how was the summer season? It was all right – it seems that wedding organisers find us even from Budapest. Ours is a family business, for instance my brother runs the kitchen. • Your father was voted restaurateur-hotel owner of the year in 2005. Is it a big challenge to fill his shoes? No it is not, as he has always been sharing his knowledge with us and we would like to continue what he started: offering high-level, innovative service in the region. What I add to his approach is identifying rapidly changing consumer demands in time. • Is it you alone who decides in strategic questions? No, it is the family. My father is more and more engaged in managing the small farm that belongs to our hotel. • Now this sounds really trendy! Well, it is a world trend indeed to use local fresh products in high-level gastronomy. We are breeding animals, we have an orchard, an herb garden and a micro-winery. We are also in touch with many local organic farmers. • Which culinary style do you favour? We are consciously avoiding current trends: we make traditional dishes from natural ingredients, using seasonal base material. This of course does not mean that we do not accept the positive elements of world cuisine, especially when they are in line with the health trends we follow – there is a fitness page in the menu and a wellness section works in our hotel. • You are a successful and busy man. What motivates you to work in MVI’s presidency? Just look around here! Practically everyone in MVI’s presidency is a successful restaurateur and I like to work with them. We have to recruit new members, find new sources of income (other than membership fees) and work on increasing MVI’s prestige.