Michel Baumann: Chef and Owner, Chantecleer Restaurant, East Dorset

A native of Switzerland, Michel began his career as a young apprentice in a restaurant in Basel. Before long, he started traveling the world, working in many different restaurants from Bermuda to New Zealand, adding to his repertoire and perfecting his skills. He fell totally in love with Vermont when he skied at Bromley Mountain and, after cooking his way up the East Coast, Michel decided to open his own place in a converted barn in East Dorset in 1982. Chantecleer quickly became synonymous with fine dining in the Manchester area.

Over the years Michel and his wife, Melanie, have expanded the interior space, adding new seasonal dishes while keeping old favorites like his homemade spaetzle always on the menu.