Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne Appoints Bettina Porkert as Executive Assistant Manager, Food & Beverage

Obbürgen, September 9, 2025 – Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne is pleased to announce the appointment of Bettina Porkert as Executive Assistant Manager, Food & Beverage. She succeeds Niko Zigrahn, who is taking on a new role outside Switzerland. With her international expertise and clear vision, Bettina will oversee and further develop the resort’s guest-facing food and beverage operations. She will work closely with Corporate Culinary Director Mike Wehrle, who defines the resort’s culinary direction.

Extensive International Leadership Experience

Bettina brings years of senior leadership experience from renowned properties in London, Auckland, Doha, Tokyo, Amsterdam, and most recently Cairo. At the Semiramis InterContinental and the Sonesta Hotel Tower & Casino in Cairo, she served as Director of Food & Beverage, playing a pivotal role in shaping both operations and strategy. As Executive Assistant Manager at the Pyramisa Hotel in Cairo, she was responsible for the entire food and beverage division. In these roles, she successfully led large F&B teams, implemented renovation and modernization projects, and introduced targeted training programs to ensure outstanding service quality.

A Vision Driven by Innovation and Excellence

Bettina combines management expertise with creativity. Drawing on her international background and innovative mindset, she aims to introduce bold, sophisticated food and beverage concepts at Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne.

“Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne is a unique destination—diverse, cosmopolitan, and inspiring. I thrive on new challenges and look forward to exploring every aspect of the resort while creating new culinary experiences with my team. My goal is to offer guests an unforgettable stay where professionalism, passion, and hospitality are evident in every detail,” she says.

As an expert in wine and food pairings, Bettina will enrich the resort’s culinary offering, enhance existing concepts, and introduce new creations. With a strong focus on developing internal talent and optimizing processes, she will leverage her operational expertise to strengthen the resort’s culture of excellence.

A Career Fueled by Passion

Bettina’s career began with formal training as a hotel specialist at Atrium Hotel Kurmainz, following her first international exposure at Expo Seville. After completing her studies in Germany, she gained experience at prestigious properties around the world. In London, she held roles at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park; in Auckland, she served as Banquet Manager at The Langham Hotel. She was also instrumental in the pre-opening and launch of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi. Her career path has since taken her to Doha, Tokyo, Amsterdam, and repeatedly to Cairo, where she held senior positions at W Hotels and within the Marriott group.

Academic and Technical Expertise

Bettina is a graduate of the Bavaria Hotel Management School in Altötting and Schloss Neubeuern. She holds a Controller Qualification License “NZQA,” the AEVO (IHK Bavaria), and multiple certifications in food safety and hygiene. Her combination of hands-on leadership and strong technical expertise makes her highly skilled in cost management and maintaining the highest quality standards.

“We are delighted to welcome Bettina Porkert to this strategic role,” said Chris K. Franzen, Managing Director of Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne. “Her international experience, innovative vision, and commitment to operational excellence align perfectly with our ambitions in the food and beverage sector. We are confident she will bring fresh momentum to our culinary offerings and further strengthen Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne’s position as a leading culinary destination.”

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