Richard Learwood: Co-Owner of Cookie Cafe

Richard Learwood is one of the owners, and he's taken time out of his busy schedule to tell us how it all started, and to share some news about what they'd got planned for the coming winter season..

Tell us a little bit about your business, how it started out and where you're based etc...

Like so many people I have sat on the terrace at the Folie Douce in Val d’Isere dreaming about running my own restaurant and bar and in 2013 the opportunity appeared. We were determined to go for it as the location- the highest altitude restaurant in the middle of the Portes du Soleil on the Pointe de Mossettes, was a once in a lifetime opportunity. We have a ski apartment in Les Crosets, where we spend every weekend, which is how I got to hear about the opportunity but there was one big problem: I am not a restaurateur, have a full time job in Geneva in Marketing and needed to find a partner who knew what they were doing if I was going to realize my dream and not lose my shirt!

I had a clear vision that the Portes du Soleil could do with something different and was lucky enough to be introduced to my now business partner David Jewell, someone who was already doing it differently over the Rhone valley in Villars. Dave is an Aussie restaurateur who has been in Switzerland for more than ten years and has successfully introduced 'Cookie', his original fusion restaurant, followed by 'Cookie Deli', 'Cookie Café' and 'Tom’s'.

Dave and I joined up and decided that the best approach was to re-apply the successful Cookie.Cafe concept to the Portes du Soleil. Cookie is a Gourmet Café selling high quality, handmade burgers, wraps, soups, pizza and what is probably the best coffee this side of the Italian Alps! We changed the interior of the old self service a lot and the concept is working with great feedback and a growing customer base. We try hard to give great service in a cool atmosphere that is probably more like a cool gastro pub from the UK than your traditional mountain restaurant. The Chill-Out lounge upstairs was a new addition last year and its now the first place that fills up. On a sunny day the terrace is always a hit and we are going to keep developing that with live music, DJ’s and other entertainment.

How long have you been in your current role / how long have you been with the company?

Since December 2013

What makes this resort a special place to be for someone in your profession?

It’s the biggest ski area in the world with 650km of pistes on one pass spanning two countries and 9 charming resorts. The Pointe de Mossettes, sitting slap in the middle with easy access to Chatel, Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Gets, Morgins and Champery, makes it a very special place.

What are the best bits about your job?

I love see a satisfied customer and reading their reviews. Seeing someone coming back through the door gives me a big buzz as its means we are getting it right.

And the worst bits?

When you see something go wrong that might lessen the experience for a customer.

What is in store for the future with your business, any exciting projects in the pipelines that you can share with us?

We will update and extend the menu again this year and be adding regular live events every Thursday afternoon with Retro Rentals featuring bands, DJ and dancers. We are also going to invest on the exterior of the building and bring the atmosphere from inside to the outside.

What's your favourite piste or off-piste area & top tip to go skiing?

“Cascade” - A little known and used run directly from Pointe de Mossettes all the way to Morgins with no lifts. It’s beautiful, isolated and 7km long! With the new links across from Super Chatel it makes getting back to the all resorts much easier so it’s a must do.

What has been your best ever day in this resort?

When the team successfully completed the 50km downhill in one day challenge

What's your favourite thing to do in resort when not skiing or snowboarding?

I love snowshoeing in the forest away from the pistes. There are lots of trails that take you to surprising places and some great restaurants

What do you do in the summer?

Get over trying to do two jobs in the winter!

Where are we most likely to find you for après-ski?!

The Mountain Lodge in Les Crosets, a boutique chalet hotel on the Swiss side

If someone was coming here for the first time, what would you suggest they absolutely must do or see in resort?

Make a plan and do the tour of the full Portes du Soleil to see the whole region. It’s possible to go up on first lift from Les Gets and get back in a day. From everywhere else its easy. It’s a must do.

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Find more information about Cookie Cafe on Facebook, Trip Advisor and on our Mountain Restaurants Page. They'll be opening their doors for winter on the 19th December 2015.