“Solid pizzeria” for the well-to-do
Former SNB chief Philipp Hildebrand is going to Beizer in Zurich
Together with gastronomy king Rudi Bindella, ex-SNB boss Philipp Hildebrand takes over a prestigious restaurant on Zurich’s Limmatquai. The two friends will serve pizza and Italian wine there.
Published: 29.06.2022 at 17.35
Philipp Hildebrand (58) is known as an economist, currency monitor and asset manager. Another job is coming soon. Hildebrand becomes innkeeper: The former SNB boss opens a pizzeria in Zurich together with Gastro-Imperium Bindella. Bindella confirms a report from the Inside Paradeplatz portal to Blick.
The location of the new restaurant is something to see: Bindella and Hildebrand want to open their pizzeria in the Zunfthaus zur Saffran in the middle of Zurich’s old town. With a prime location on Limmatquai, directly opposite Zurich City Hall. The restaurant will be called “Zafferano” to match the location. So far, SO Pizza has also served Italian food there. It has now closed its branch on Limmatquai and wants to move to another quarter, according to the company’s website.
opening in the fall
Hildebrand and Bindella are already looking for employees on the job exchange Jobs.ch: a pizzaiolo, a chef, service staff and a manager are wanted. The ads state that the idea for the joint restaurant came “from the friendship between Philipp Hildebrand and Rudi Bindella”. The family business is now run by his son Rudi Bindella Jr. (45).
According to the job advertisement, a “small, tasty pizzeria” will be built in the guild house. The offer will one day include an “Italian wine series of high quality”. Bindella does not want to divulge more about the concept to questions from Blick.
The exact opening date has not yet been determined. The goal is early autumn 2022. However, it seems doubtful whether the two pubs will be able to fill all the positions by that time: The entire catering industry is struggling with a massive shortage of skilled workers.
Tourism experience in the Bernese Oberland
Hildebrand herself has not yet commented on the opening of the restaurant in Zurich. He was a member of the board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) from 2003 and was its president between 2010 and 2012. He was forced to resign in 2012 due to allegations of insider trading. However, no case was ever brought against him. Since then, Hildebrand has been deputy head of the American asset manager Blackrock.
His name is repeatedly sent around when important positions in the Swiss financial center are filled. Hildebrand also applied for the post of Secretary General of the OECD last year, but was not allowed to kiss her hand. However, hearing the name Hildebrand in the gastro scene is new.
However, this is not his very first step in gastronomy: Philipp Hildebrand is already a co-owner of Blausee AG in the Bernese Oberland. In addition to the 20-hectare nature park with lake, this also includes a hotel, two restaurants and a trout farm. A trout death had caused a stir there. It is to be hoped that Hildebrand’s entry into Zurich’s gastronomy will be less turbulent.