In short: the Haute Raclette book is for raclette lovers who are going round in circles between pickles and cold cuts. What we take away: 52 recipes that keep the cheese center stage, seasonal toppings and a few frankly daring pairings, written by two Valais enthusiasts and a starred chef. One catch for English speakers: it exists in French and German only.
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Quick facts: Haute Raclette book
| Feature | Haute Raclette (Helvetiq) |
|---|---|
| Title | Haute Raclette, L’art du fromage à raclette en 52 recettes fondantes |
| Publisher | Helvetiq |
| Authors | Jennifer and Arnaud Favre, with chef Pierre Crepaud; Dorian Rollin is also credited (Helvetiq). The Amazon.fr listing credits only Jennifer Favre |
| Year | 2021 (according to the Amazon.fr listing) |
| Pages | 160 (Helvetiq); 159 according to the Amazon.fr listing |
| Format | 17.5 x 24.5 x 2.2 cm (Helvetiq) |
| Language | French |
| Editions | French and German, “Haute Raclette: Die Kunst des Raclette in 52 köstlichen Rezepten” (Helvetiq); no English edition listed by Helvetiq |
| ISBN | 2940673306, i.e. 978-2-940673-30-8 (Helvetiq); German edition 3907293320, i.e. 978-3-907293-32-4 |
| Number of recipes | 52 (Helvetiq) |
What we make of it
The publisher, Helvetiq, sums up the idea with one question: raclette, sure, but what else? The book answers with toppings that follow the seasons. In summer, candied peppers. In autumn, chestnuts and air-dried meat. To surprise your guests, goat cheese with grilled pineapple. And for the bold, a trip to Japan with wasabi and pickled ginger. The cheese stays the star; it is the plates around it that travel.
Behind the pages are Jennifer and Arnaud Favre, founders of the Compagnons du Caquelon, a Valais association of fondue lovers that runs a yearly festival, and already authors of Haute Fondue with the same publisher. Chef Pierre Crepaud, described as Michelin-starred and based in Saillon by the Swiss daily Le Temps, signs part of the recipes. The promise: a book written by three people, with a chef’s tips for a raclette worthy of a fine restaurant.
Let’s be honest: purists may choke on the wasabi, and the Swiss press quoted by the publisher has some fun with that. But that is the whole point. The book does not replace your Sunday raclette; it gives you ideas for the third one of the winter, when nobody dares bring out the same cold-cut platter again. The real limit for our readers is the language. If you read French or German, or enjoy cooking with a translation app, it works; otherwise, it is a gift for a French- or German-speaking friend.
Strengths
- 52 recipes, one a week if you are very motivated
- Seasonal toppings from spring to winter
- Two Valais enthusiasts plus a starred chef
- Easy to wrap, no cable involved
Things to consider
- Only in French and German
- Some pairings will upset purists
- No grill or cheese included, obviously
- Page count differs by source (160 or 159)
Who is it for?
For the friend who already owns a raclette grill and wants to use it for more than potatoes and ham, for fans of sweet and savory pairings, and for anyone who loves Valais. It also pairs well with a grill: pick one from our raclette grill comparison and slip the book in the box.
Who it isn’t for: the guardians of tradition, for whom raclette means potatoes and nothing else, and anyone who reads neither French nor German.
Alternatives
- Swiss Fondue: The Fine Art of Fondue in 52 Tasty Recipes: the English edition of the same authors’ fondue book, from Helvetiq.
- Haute Fondue: the original French version of that fondue book.
- Haute Raclette, German edition: the same content for German-speaking friends.
More ideas for melted-cheese fans are waiting in our raclette Christmas gift guide.
Our recipes while you wait
Until the book arrives, our raclette recipes already offer plenty of ways off the beaten track.
Frequently asked questions
How many recipes are in the Haute Raclette book?
52 recipes, according to the publisher Helvetiq, with seasonal toppings and unusual pairings such as goat cheese and grilled pineapple.
Is Haute Raclette available in English?
No. Helvetiq lists a French edition and a German edition only. The same authors’ fondue book does exist in English as Swiss Fondue.
Who wrote Haute Raclette?
Jennifer and Arnaud Favre, founders of the Compagnons du Caquelon, with chef Pierre Crepaud. Helvetiq also credits Dorian Rollin.
