The Gstaad Guy Podcast

The Gstaad The Gstaad Guy sits down with Björn Frantzen, the Swedish chef and restaurateur who holds nine Michelin stars across three separate restaurants, making him the only chef in the world to simultaneously manage three three-Michelin-starred establishments, to explore what it truly means to pursue excellence in the kitchen and beyond. From a football injury that rerouted his entire life to earning some of the most coveted accolades in gastronomy, Björn reflects on the discipline, creativity, and relentless hard work that transformed a passion for food into a world-class institution.

The conversation explores the complexities of life as a restaurateur, the delicate balance between being a chef and running a business, and the Swedish philosophy of "lagom" as a quiet force behind great work. Björn shares how he designs a dish, builds a team, and innovates within a tradition as exacting as French fine dining, all while maintaining the spirit of casual elegance that defines his approach. A rich and absorbing conversation about craftsmanship, culture, and what it takes to make people feel something through food.

Filmed at Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel in Paris.

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(00:33) Inspiration ✨🌟

(03:28) Earning A Michelin Star ⭐🏆

(09:20) Consumer vs. Creator 🍽️🎨

(11:35) Creativity 🎨💡

(12:35) Discovering Cooking 👨‍🍳🔍

(14:00) Football Career ⚽🏃

15:18) Sports & The Restaurant Industry 🏅🍴

(16:55) Swedish Business Acumen 🇸🇪💼

(21:28) "Lagom" ⚖️🧘

(28:32) Chef To Entrepreneur 👨‍🍳🚀

(30:33 Being A Restauranteur 🍽️🏠

(34:37) Acquiring Experience 📚🌱

(38:27) Next Generation 👶🏻🔮

(42:54) Designing A Dish 🎨🍴

(45:16) Innovation In The Industry 💡🔧

(49:00) Wine Pairing 🍷🍾

(54:09) Kitchen Environments 🔪🍳

(59:00) Being A Good Customer 😊🤝🏻

(1:01:21) Music 🎵🎶

(1:02:01) Balance Between Personal Life & Work ⚖️❤️

(1:04:54) Specialisation 🎯🔬

(1:09:07) Food In Japan 🍣🇯🇵

(1:09:47) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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The Gstaad Guy sits down with Simon Cohen, the South African-born, Australian-raised entrepreneur behind Cohen Handler, the buyer's agency that turned a gap in the market into a movement, to explore what it truly takes to build something original in an industry resistant to change. From discovering real estate to flipping the traditional agent model on its head, Simon reflects on the drive, honesty, and relentless problem-solving that transformed a bold idea into one of Australia's most trusted property firms.

The conversation ventures into the lessons only life can teach, taking risks before you're ready, earning client trust through radical transparency, and why chasing your dreams means being willing to reinvent the wheel entirely. Simon shares the values that shape his team, the passion that fuels his process, and why in a world of imitators, being genuinely original is still the greatest competitive advantage. A candid, grounded conversation about building with purpose, betting on yourself, and what luxury real estate truly demands of the people who serve it.

Filmed at the TASCHEN London bookstore.

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(01:33) Discovering Real Estate 🏠🔍

(03:00) Seller Agent vs. Buyer Agent 🤝🏻🤝⚖️

(04:56) From Salesman To Entrepreneur 💼🚀

(06:45) Entrepreneurial Landscape 🌍📈

(09:08) Doubt 🤔😰

(09:56) Main Business Driver ⚙️💡

(11:06) Australian Market 🦘🇦🇺

(12:19) Innovation 💡🔧

(15:40) Earning Trust 🤝🏻🏆

(18:38) Team Values 👥❤️

(20:16) Passion 🔥❤️

(21:16) Outcome vs. Process 🎯🛠️

(26:10) Building Connections 🤝🏻🌐

(30:41) Competition Breeds Innovation ⚡💡

(34:34) Buying A Property 🏡💰

(38:38) The Real Life Gstaad Guy 🎿🏔️

(43:33) Decision Makers 🧠👔

(44:23) Who You Want To Be 🪞✨

(46:33) Technology 💻📱

(48:12) Remote Lifestyle 🌴💻

(51:10) Seizing Opportunities 🙌🏻⚡

(54:19) Understanding Your Customer 👂🏻🎯

(57:32) Transfer Of Wealth 💸🔄

(59:31) Luxury Requires Luxury 💎👑

(1:01:30) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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The Gstaad Guy sits down with Elie Saab Jr., CEO and Vice Chairman of Elie Saab Group, to explore how a family vision rooted in haute couture grew into one of the world’s most recognisable luxury houses. Reflecting on the inception of the brand and the influence of his father, Elie Saab, Elie Saab Jr. shares how family values, Middle Eastern roots, and an upbringing centred on groundedness and resilience shaped his approach to leadership. From curiosity and ambition to grit and the desire to succeed, he discusses the mindset required to step into a legacy business while carving out your own path.

The conversation dives into joining the company, restructuring the organisation, and expanding the brand globally while protecting the spirit of couture craftsmanship. Elie Saab Jr. reflects on diversifying the house into a broader lifestyle brand, the realities of the fashion industry, and why passion must always be balanced with humility. They also explore leadership, learning, choosing the right partner, and building the support system required to sustain long-term growth. A thoughtful look at turning dreams into action, driving innovation without losing heritage, and preparing a family business for future generations.

Filmed at Elie Saab's London Bruton Street Boutique.

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(01:28) Inception Of Elie Saab ✨🧵

(03:10) Family 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦❤️

(06:58) Work Environment 🏢💼

(07:15) Middle Eastern Roots 🌍🕌

(09:53) Celebrating Life 🥂🎉

(11:14) Desire To Thrive 🔥🌱

(13:44) Joining The Business 🤝🏻🏢

(17:25) Upbringing & Values 🧬🧭

(20:20) Choosing Your Partner 💍🤝🏻

(25:01) Future Generations 👶✨

(25:55) Diversifying The Business 🌐📈

(32:59) Becoming A Lifestyle Brand 🏡💎

(33:42) Reality Of The Fashion World 👗⚖️

(36:35) Passion vs. Humility 🔥🙏🏼

(40:35) Learning 📚💡

(41:35) Becoming CEO 👔🏆

(45:41) Restructuring 🔧📊

(50:27) Driving Growth 🚀📈

(53:16) Future Of The Industry 🔮✨

(56:50) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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The Gstaad Guy sits down with Tony Kelly, the Irish fine art photographer and director known for his vivid, cinematic imagery that blurs the line between fantasy and reality. From early days as a press photographer covering conflict in Afghanistan to developing a distinctive visual language built around colour, atmosphere, and playful storytelling, Tony reflects on how photography became an instinct rather than a technique. He shares how mentorship, relentless practice, and the right creative environments helped shape a style that prioritises original ideas and emotional impact over imitation or status.

The conversation explores the power of visual storytelling, creating images that feel playful, cinematic, and infused with a sense of nostalgia. Tony discusses shooting self-funded projects for creative freedom, the importance of substance over status, and why hard work and resourcefulness matter more than talent alone. From the cultural magnetism of St. Moritz and the timeless atmosphere of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel to the influence of James Bond and classic film aesthetics, he reflects on building a genre of photography that feels both glamorous and mischievous. A candid look at creativity in the modern era, why this may be the greatest time to be alive for artists, and why the most powerful images still come from curiosity, discipline, and the courage to shoot for yourself.

Filmed at The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz.

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(03:20) Hard Work 💪🏻🛠️

(04:23) Effort 🔥💪🏻

(05:53) Right Shooting Environment 📸🌄

(07:24) Style of Photography 🎨📷

(09:28) Mentor 🧑‍🏫✨

(13:00) Storytelling 📖🎬

(14:25) St Moritz 🏔️🇨🇭

(20:29) The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel 🏰🏨

(23:35) Mountain Values 🏔️💎

(27:01) Discretion 🤫🔒

(28:37) James Bond 🕶️🎬

(29:49) Nostalgia 📼💭

(32:16) Media Capital Of The World 🌍📰

(34:32) Self-Funded Projects 💰🎨

(36:19) Starting Photography 📷🌱

(38:18) Creativity Democratised 🎨🌐

(40:49) The New Creative Era 🚀🎥

(42:50) Hard Work vs. Talent ⚖️🎯

(44:19) “Ireland Is About Substance Not Status” 🇮🇪🌿

(47:53) Starting As A Press Photographer 📰📸

(53:12) Being Resourceful 🧠🛠️

(56:24) Greatest Time To Be Alive 🌍✨

(1:00:14) Validation 👍🏻✨

(1:00:58) Imitation As A Form Of Validation 🪞📸

(1:06:26) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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The Gstaad Guy sits down with Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International, to explore how modern luxury hospitality is evolving from hotel stays into fully immersive destinations. As the driving force behind brands such as One&Only, Atlantis, SIRO, and Rare Finds, Philippe shares how unlocking extraordinary locations and designing once-in-a-lifetime experiences requires both discipline and imagination. From selecting destinations to shaping brand emotion and storytelling, he reflects on what it takes to define the future while preserving exclusivity, privacy, and trust.

The conversation dives into the shifting expectations of a multi-generational, highly discerning clientele and why luxury today is about anticipating guest needs before they are spoken. Philippe discusses health and wellness stays, sports and longevity, mindfulness, and the growing demand for meaningful escapes that enhance how time is spent. They explore decision-making in private companies, curating experiences beyond the traditional hotel model, and the added value of personalisation in a world saturated with options. A thoughtful look at comfort, adventure, innovation, and the evolving relationship between brand and guest, revealing how true luxury is not excess, but precision.

Filmed in the One&Only One Za’abeel Royal Suite.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(02:02) Kerzner International Ecosystem 🌍🏨

(11:46) Decision Making 🧠⚖️

(12:30) Private vs. Public Companies 🔒🏢

(15:30) Selecting Destinations 📍✨

(21:26) Success By Design 🎯📐

(22:21) Destination Selection Process 🗺️🔍

(29:08) Defining The Future 🔮🚀

(30:36) Discerned Customers 👁️💎

(32:56) Health & Wellness Approach 🌿🧘‍♂️

(40:52) Target Clientele 🎯👥

(43:37) Understanding Your Desires ❤️🔍

(50:41) Sports & Longevity 🏃‍♂️⏳

(53:07) Montana 🏔️🌲

(53:30) Escapes & Retreats 🌅🏕️

(55:08) Curating Experiences 🎨✨

(1:01:03) How Time Is Spent ⏳📊

(1:03:47) Hotel Bar 🍸🏨

(1:05:15) Understanding The Consumer 🧠👥

(1:10:18) Demand & Consumption 📈🔄

(1:17:54) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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