STARGUEST Magazine - 2021 by Arieh Wagner

X URO R Y NO L I F E M Y - PR EST IG EO US CO L L EC T IO NS LU X U RY LI F EST Y LES - E LEG A NT G AL UST

KOSHER LUXURY BEYOND 5 STARS

LUXURY LIFE

WELCOME

CONTACT DETAILS

KO SH E R LUX URY & JE W ISH L IFEST Y L ES

United Kingdom STARGUEST Ltd. 103 Leeside Crecent London, NW110JL info@StarGuest.com

Kashruth Summer & Winter in St.Moritz at The Kempinski is Under the Kosher Supervision of Rabbi B.Z.Rabinowitz Of Biala, Chief Rabbi of Lugano, Switzerland. Arieh Wagner Kosher Hotels & Catering in London is Under the Kosher Supervision of The Federation of Synagogues, London - (KF)

www StarGuest.com

Welcome to the newest edition of STARGUEST. This magazine is a culmination of a lifelong mission and was founded with one aspiration: to demonstrate that keeping Kosher does mean compromise. In following the 2500 year old divine rules of kashrut, Jews subscribe to a higher authority. However, beyond the religious aspect much of Kashrut is in line with modern quality control and health and safety. Many hundred years before we had governmental health & safety inspectors (or the FDA in the USA), the kosher kitchen separated meat and fish. Today Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACAP) dictates the assigning of white chopping boards for raw fish and red for meat. Further kashrut laws specify exactly how food should be shipped. Today we call this traceability. Recently, UK and mainland Europe were shocked by the “Horsemeat scandal,” that saw horsemeat hidden in a number of supermarket staples. Whilst Kosher butchers were safe in the knowledge that the steak on the shelf never competed in any Olympic dressage competition. The next holiday seasons will approach soon again. We wanted to shine some light on the fantastic array of spectacular Kosher cuisine available around the world. In this edition, we are proud to introduce you our kosher luxury partners, The Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St.Moritz, The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain and last but not least The glamourous Sheraton Grand London Park Lane. Our partners in collaboration with my STARGUEST Team will offer discerning clients the opportunity to savour gourmet Kosher cuisine combined with uncompromising quality. We call it “Kosher Luxury Beyond 5stars”!

email info@StarGuest.com phone +44 (0) 20 8458 7708

facebook.com /ariehwagner

twitter.com /ariehwagner

Looking forward seeing you at Simchas! Arieh Wagner

instagram.com /ariehwagner

youtube.com /starguest613

LUXURY LIFE

CONTENTS

LUXURY LIFE

Switzerlands most impressive hotel goes kosher 6 Top of the world 12 Dream makers 18 Glamour on Park Lane 22 Worldwide Desserts 28 Collectors Items 34 Maintaining the legacy 42 The most complicated watch 46 Impressive dinners 48 Soup of the day 54 Kosher in Bahrain 56

LUXURY LIFE

SWITZERLAND›S MOST IMPRESSIVE HOTEL GOES KOSHER PRO FIL E

Originally known for its mineral springs, St Moritz has been a popular tourist destination for over 3,000 years. Nestled in the inspiring high-lying valley of the Engadin. St. Moritz is the most breathtaking mountain resort in the world. Celebrating winter with style, charm and cosmopolitan flair, tourists can relax whilst surrounded by beautiful scenery...and the team at Starguest offer a luxury, kosher experience. With a dedicated restaurant boasting an extensive wine list as well as a kosher bar menu it offers sumptuous delicacies for a truly kosher 5 star experience.

Switzerlands most impressive hotel goes kosher

LUXURY LIFE

«LUXURY, PRIVACY, WE CALL IT PARADISE»

From left to right: One of the many saunas at The Spa, The fine dining restaurant, One of the comfortable bedrooms.

LUXURY LIFE

What makes a hotel five star? It creates and maintains traditions. The Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains is a magnificent establishment with rich traditions. Guests are greeted by a bright and welcoming lobby with a refreshingly relaxed atmosphere. The interior of the hotel harmoniously combines tradition with contemporary design, creating a stunning contrast that can be seen in the simple wooden furniture, bright colours and exceptional antiques. Modern photographs and historical prints tell the history of this fascinating mountain region. Carefully selected stylistic elements of the Engadin valley and natural materials create a simple yet elegant look. As well as the 184 rooms and suites and the 27 residences the hotel features four restaurants, a bar, a cigar lounge, four meeting rooms, a 2,800 sq m (30,000 sq ft) fitness and spa area, a fabulous duplex kids club, a ski school, a ski rental shop and even a casino. The Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains is located near the lake of St Moritz with the famous “Hahnensee” ski-piste ending right outside the hotel. The “Signalbahn” aerial tramway is just a few metres away from the hotel, this transports skiers in the winter, and hikers and mountain bikers in the summer directly to the Corviglia region. With vast expanses of snow-white slopes, trails and paths there is an option for every level of difficulty. Those who prefer cross-country tracks or have ambitions of finishing a marathon will have access to the vast network of cross-country ski tracks or the marathon route around the expansive lake districts right outside the hotel. The close co-operation with

the Ski Service Corvatsch and the ski and bike shop in the hotel enables guests to securely store their equipment at the station and pick them up the next day. The snow, the light, the gourmet food and life in St. Moritz are beyond compare. The stunning Alpine landscape is both breathtaking and inspiring, offering spectacular views that will stay with you long after you have returned home. In winter, and covered in thick, white snow the fresh air and dazzling landscapes offer an utterly unique experience. Thats how paradise looks like.

LUXURY LIFE

Left: Stone Sauna Right: The Pool

Staying at the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains is the perfect complement to the rich Alpine landscape. The staff are warm and friendly, always happy to help and ensure a seamless stay for each guest. The Kosher chefs create enticing delicacies drawing on international influences from Switzerland, Italy as well as Jewish heritage whilst the exclusive Kempinski Spa promises the very best in relaxation and indulgence.

«BEYOND 5 STAR LUXURY»

See how the Winter-White turns into an amazing blaze of color and feel the village remains sparkling and glittering as always. Now, the sunny terraces of the mountains huts invite to stay. A great variety of exclusive shops offer the new collections and amongst many other highlights, for example the Polo Tournament on the froozen lake, you have the choice of a lot of sporty activities too. Enjoy St. Moritz – Kosher Luxury Beyond 5stars!

LUXURY LIFE

D EST INAT IO N

TOP OF THE WORLD

BY: JAMES M AY

Top of the world

LUXURY LIFE

THE RESORT

THE GLACIERS

St. Moritz is not simply a holiday resort. With its spectacular snowy landscape it started winter tourism in the Alps in 1864 and has also hosted two Winter Olympics. However, St. Moritz owes its importance to its mineral springs, which have attracted tourists for over 3,000 years and helped establish the village as a summer health resort. These days, St. Moritz is the premier location for an Alpine holiday.

The Engadin is an impressive landscape where 173 glaciers cover an area of 40 sq. metres. The most evocative is the Morteratsch Glacier, which at around seven kilometres is the longest glacier in the Engadin. Although Roseg, Tschierva, Sella and Pers, also offer an equally striking vision. With a number of crevasses it is possible to see the magnificent blue hues within. Equally mesmerising are the ice caves, which are created in the summer when the relatively warm water makes its way out into the open air.

At St. Moritz it is impossible to be bored, with a number of extraordinary leisure and sporting activities, cultural events, as well as a wide variety of shopping facilities. The resort is also home to some fantastic luxury boutiques from Asprey to Missoni and Vitton to Valentino.

LUXURY LIFE

RAETISCHE BAHN

HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDES

Giddying viaducts, twisting tunnels and other spectacular feats of engineering all blend harmoniously into the wild and rugged landscape along the 122 beautiful kilometres of the Rhaetian Railway's Albula-Bernina line. Along its way from Thusis via St. Moritz to Tirano, the line leads past 20 municipalities, through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges – including the highlight, the world-famous Landwasser Viaduct near Filisur, an elegant curved structure of dark limestone 65 metres tall.

A romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride across the frozen lake, through the snow-blanketed Staz forest or through the glamorous St. Moritz is one of the highlights of any stay. Snugly wrapped in furs and blankets, you can gaze past the majestic horses at a landscape of exquisite beauty. Val Roseg: It only takes a little horsepower before you are on your way, to the Hotel Roseg Gletscher (“Roseg Glacier”) at the far end of the Val Roseg. Of course, you could tackle the seven kilometres (4.5 miles) on foot, but a romantic carriage ride is the perfect complement to the winter charm of this enchanting valley, as well as the sublime views of the nearby glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the impressive Bernina mountains. Val Fex: In the village square of Sils Maria, the horse-drawn sleighs are lined up, ready for the ride into the Val Fex, one of the highest valleys in Switzerland that is inhabited year-round.Only a couple of houses make up the hamlets along the way: Crasta at 1,951 metres (6,401ft), and Curtins at 1,973 metres above sea level (6,473ft).

At the line's steepest point, trains conquer a gradient of 7 per cent without the benefit of cog traction. In 2008, UNESCO added the "Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina landscape" to its list of World Heritage Sites, making the Rhaetian Railway only the third in the world judged to be of "outstanding universal value".

Picture Descriptions: Left Picture: Smow Walking above St. Moritz Top Picture: Romantic Horse-Sledge ride.

LUXURY LIFE

SKIING Famous for its ski slopes, St. Moritz really is the perfect destination for skiers from beginner to advance. With fluffy, luscious snow that glistens and sparkles in the bright Swiss sun there really is no better condition in which to don your skis. Not only that, but with runs spanning most of the village, a phenomenal 350 KM of piste as well as countless slopes, you will be spoilt for choice as you twist and turn along the Engadin valley.

LUXURY LIFE

SLEDGING St. Moritz boasts a variety of sled runs, both large and small. Switzerland’s most famous sled run is just around the corner: a 20-minute train ride is all it takes to reach the top of the run from Preda to Bergün. The 6 km route follows the Albula railway line. A permanent snow-making machine ensures the sled run can be used throughout the entire winter. Around 2,000 rental sleds are kept at the Preda mountain railway station and can be returned afterwards in Bergün.

LU L UX XUUR RY YL LI FI FE E

DREAM MAKERS P H OTO S BY: PAUL TO E M A N

Dream makers

LU XX UU RR Y YL ILFI EF E LU

LUXURY LIFE

GLAMOUR ON PARK LANE

Glamour on Park Lane

LUXURY LIFE

WORLDWIDE DESSERTS

Cater i n g by T h e STA RG UEST Te a m

APPLE TART TATTIN The tarte Tatin was created accidentally at the Hôtel Tatin in Lamotte-Beuvron, Loir-et-Cher, 169 km (105 mi) south of Paris, in the 1880s. There are conflicting stories concerning the tart's origin, but the most common is that Stéphanie Tatin, who did most of the cooking, was overworked one day. She started to make a traditional apple pie but left the apples cooking in butter and sugar for too long. Smelling the burning, she tried to rescue the dish by putting the pastry base on top of the pan of apples, quickly finishing the cooking by putting the whole pan in the oven. After turning out the upside down tart, she was surprised to find how much the hotel guests appreciated the dessert

Worldwide Desserts

LUXURY LIFE

ETON MESS Eton mess is a traditional English dessert consisting of a mixture of strawberries, meringue, and whipped cream. First mentioned in print in 1893, it is commonly believed to originate from Eton College and is served at the annual cricket match against the pupils of Harrow School. The word 'mess' in 'Eton Mess' could also have multiple meanings, and no single meaning has been proven to be the right one. Some say it simply refers to the dishevelled appearance of the food, while others think it is derived from !!!the Latin 'missum', referring to a portion of food. We love it

LUXURY LIFE

«THE QUALITY IS SECOND TO NONE.»

MERRINGUES It has been claimed that meringue was invented in the Swiss village of Meiringen and improved by an Italian chef named Gasparini between the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century.

U XX U U RR YY LL II FF EE LL U

CHURROS Churros are fried until they become crunchy, and may be sprinkled with sugar. The surface of a churro is ridged due to having been piped from a churrera, a syringe-like tool with a star-shaped nozzle. Churros are generally prisms in shape, and may be straight, curled or spirally twisted. Like pretzels, churros are sold by street vendors, who may fry them freshly on the street stand and sell them hot. We like to serve them warm with chocolate sauce...devine!

LL U U XX U U RR YY LL II FF EE

LUXURY LIFE

JUDA IC A & H ISTO RY

COLLECTOR ITEMS

Basel Art

Basel Art Ltd. Specialists in Judaica, Silver & Paintings London +44 7974 575 673 baselartltd@gmail.com 34

Collectors Items

LUXURY LIFE

Snuffbox in book form France, 18th century

Silver, Lenght 7.3cm, Width 5 cm, Weight 69 gram. Price $ 1000.00

Snuff box in book form Germany, ca.1840

Silver, Height 5cm, Width 1.6cm, Weight 33 gram. Price $480.00

LUXURY LIFE

Gilt Etui in book form

France or Germany, ca. 1760 Extensivly decorated in the Rococo style with repousse work and engraving. Includes Siccors, Pencil, Pocket knife. Silver, Lenght 8.3cm, Width 4cm, Depth 2cm. Price $ 1950.00

Basel Art 37

LUXURY LIFE

RIMONIM Adornments are used to signal the Torah’s holy presence, glorify the sacredness of the text, beautify a ritual com-

mandment (hiddur mitzvah), and protect the parchment scroll. Major holidays and ceremonial milestones in Jewish life were—and still are—opportunities to dress the Torah

scroll with even more elaborate items. While the form and appearance of these adornments varies from one commu-

nity to another, there are several common objects. Wooden staves (called “trees of life,” or atzei hayyim) attach to the Torah scroll like handles for support. They accommodate the

scroll’s shifting proportions and allow the leader of the ser-

vices (shaliach tzibbur) to easily unroll the parchment to the

designated Torah portion. The staves can be embellished with finials (rimmonim) and bells, which are used to signal

the presence of the Torah in its procession from the ark to the reading platform. They may also reference the bells that adorned the hem of the High Priest’s robe in the ancient Temple described in the Book of Exodus, 22: 33–34.

Pair of Rimonim

London, 1722 These Torah Finals are probably by Abraham de Oliveyra and possibly its provenance is from The Great Synagogue of London. These finals have some similarities with a pair by Oliveyra 1716/32 displayed at the Jewish Museum London. Height is 34.3cm $95’000.00

LUXURY LIFE

Basel Art 39

LUXURY LIFE

W INES

MAINTAINING THE LEGACY

The story of the Carmel Winery is the story of Israel – the land of vision and realization, creating what it is today, from the void of the 19th century. In 1882, the first Israeli pioneers turned to Baron Edmond de Rothschild to request his assistance. Times were hard, and many of these people, who made their lives in Israel and saw themselves as it first pioneers, had become chronically unwell, with many, failing to survive. Baron Edmond de Rothschild, known during these times as the "Benevolent Provider”, was the owner of the world famous Chateau Lafite Winery in Bordeaux.

Maintaining the legacy

LUXURY LIFE

Representatives of the Baron who were sent to Israel to assess the growing conditions, returned with favorable reports that the climate in Israel was similar to Bordeaux, and recommended planting vineyards for the production of wine. Hundreds of acres of vineyards were planted in Israel and two large wineries were built, in Rishon LeZion and Zichron Yaacov. The first communities founded in the land of Israel, established by the immigrants, who arrived as part of the first wave of Aliyah, were totally dependent on income from viticulture and wine produced in the vineyards. Both the Rishon LeZion and Zichron Yaacov Wineries produced wine under the Ottoman rule, the British Mandate, and after the founding of the State of Israel. Also during the two World Wars, local unrest and all of Israel’s wars, the winery worked continuously, without a single break in production. In 1906, the Wine Growers Association, and the winery’s management were under the supervision of the association, which was adjacent to the settlements which were growing grapes for the wine. In 1957, James Rothschild, son of the "Benevolent Provider”, passed the ownership of the winery to the Winegrowers Association. The Carmel Winery grew, and its wines continued to accompany all the important events in the State of Israel. Israel’s wine culture continued to develop, and with it, the Carmel Winery. In the last decade, the winery has planted hundreds of acres of vineyards in the best growing regions in the country. The Carmel Winery encompasses a wide diversity of vineyards and grape varieties throughout the country. This allows for the winery to choose grapes from every region – from the Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights, Shomron and Jerusalem Hills, to the lowlands of the Negev. Carmel is continuingly striving for excellence and uncompromising quality. The majority of Carmel’s most recent vineyards were planted in the Upper Galilee region, the source of most of the finest wines produced by the Carmel Winery. At the end of 2015, after nearly 130 years, Carmel’s oldest winery in Rishon LeZion was transferred to a new site covering an area of 35 acres in the Alon Tavor Industrial Park.

«...UNDERGROUND CELLARS BUILT IN THE TIME OF THE BARON EDMUND DE ROTHSCHILD»

The Alon Tavor Winery houses the most extensive state-of-the-art logistics wine facility in Israel with the most up to date resources In the Zichron Yaacov winery, sophisticated, state-of the art equipment was installed, making it Carmel’s leading winery. The winery in Zichron Yaacov integrates the old world and new world styles of wine making, with its historic buildings and underground cellars built in the time of the Baron Edmund de Rothschild. The winery draws many visitors both from Israel and from overseas. The Zichron Yaacov winery’s technological abilities have promoted the advancement of winemaking in Israel, which is now comparable to any of the world’s large wineries. The most historic Winery in the country is in the midst of a major resurgence, today producing a broad range of quality wines to cover the most comprehensive range of price levels, which have been the recipient of many awards both in Israel and worldwide. Baron Rothschild’s dream was realized.

LUXURY LIFE

PRO FIL E

THE MOST COMPLICATED WATCH EVER MADE The Hebrew perpetual calendar can rightly be considered to be one of the greatest contributions to modern mechanical watchmaking. From a mathematical and technical point of view it is a most complex system

Combining traditional watchmaking principles with the latest technological advances, the Reference 57260 watch is a wholly original creation with a total of 57 complications, some of which are unique, including multiple calendars and a double retrograde split-seconds chronograph. In order to synchronize the year of 12 lunar months with the solar year, a thirteenth intercalary month (Adar I) must be added seven times over the 19-year cycle. In the Reference 57260 timepiece, the ingenious mechanism performs this synchronization by specifying whether the current year has 12 months (common year) or 13 months (embolismic year), via a 12/13 indicator with concentric hand on the minutes totalizer of the chronograph at 9 o'clock.

The most complicated watch

LUXURY LIFE

IMPRESSIVE DINNERS

Chef Maor Cohen

MIDDLE EASTERN EGGPLANT Charcoal Grilled Eggplant - Figs - Raw Tahini - Saffron Honey - Orange Zest

Impressive dinners

LUXURY LIFE

U XX U U RR YY LL II FF EE LL U

RED TUNA TATAKI Avocado Cream - Yuko Aioli - Pickled Carrots - Sliced Chilli - Citrus Vinaigrette

LL U U XX U U RR YY LL II FF EE

LUXURY LIFE

EXOTIC SALMON CARPATIO Thinly Sliced Fresh Scottish Salmon - Cubed Pinapple - Yuzy Cucumber Sliced Shallot - Passionfruit - Lime Vinaigrette - Puffed Rice - Nori Powder

LUXURY LIFE

«THE QUALITY IS SECOND TO NONE.»

RACK OF LAMB Charcoal grilled Rack of Lamb - Egyptian Spices Burgul Risotto - Friki Lentils Glazed Carrots - Salted Almonds Black Cream of Eggplant White Cream of Garlic

LUXURY LIFE

SOUP OF THE DAY

CHESTNUT SOUP Chestnuts - Winter Root Vegetables - Fresh Thyme - Brandy Roasted Hazelnuts - Truffle Oil Grissini

Soup of the day

LUXURY LIFE

PRO FIL E

KOSHER IN BAHARAIN

In the middle of the Arabian Gulf, a group of islands make up the oasis of Bahrain, a land rich in tradition and natural beauty that has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Middle East. Located on a private beach on the island’s north coast, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain blends urban sophistication and resort-style luxury. THE STARGUEST Restaurant, set against a soothing background of rich blues and crisp white, opens to a pool and garden-view terrace. Check our website for dates: www.STARGUEST.com

Kosher in Bahrain

LUXURY LIFE

S TA R G U E S T

LUXURY LIFE

«THE VILLAS» These three-bedroom suites, located on the highest floors, offer landscaped garden views. Inside, find a vast living room with a 12-seater dining area, elegant study, and lounge. The majestic in-room staircase connects to the rooftop plunge pool and majlis seating area. The twin and king bedrooms have their own double-vanity bathrooms. The master bedroom sets a new standard for opulence with its en suite bathroom – where a sumptuous bathtub takes center stage. Sleeps six 9,830 square feet Two king bedrooms and one twin bedroom Multiple living areas Private rooftop plunge-pool Three en-suite bathrooms High-floor garden views

LUXURY LIFE

S TA R G U E S T

LUXURY LIFE