Folk hero William Tell, so the story goes, inspired a rebellion against Austrian over-lords and paved the way for an independent Switzerland. In fact, William Tell never existed as a person. 'He was legend,' said Florian Trento, executive chef of Hong Kong's oldest Swiss restaurant, Chesa, at The Peninsula. History records that a group of mountaineers representing the three cantons (or regions) of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden secretly met on August 1, 1291, in the Rutli mountains on the shore of Lake Uri, and pledged to defy their Austrian imperial governors. Thus, the struggle for independence was born. This also helped create the legend of William Tell, a fictional figurehead who inspired 26 cantons to join the Swiss Federation movement which resisted the Austrian empire. Tell's pivotal role in independence is celebrated by chef Trento today at Chesa, with a special $320 menu. 'I have prepared a dessert called couple glace Wilhelm Tell, a cinnamon ice-cream with meringue, rhubarb and strawberries on a milk-rice sauce,' he said. Also with historical connotations is the starter: salmon trout salad with herbs vom Rutli, in memory of the Alpine meadow where the Oath of Rutli was first sworn. The main course of breaded roast cervelat sausage, filled with cheese and ham, is named Cervelat Cordon-Bleu Drei Kantone, in honour of the original three cantons which started what was, in effect, a revolution. 'We wanted to present a menu with historical interest and it has been great fun to prepare,' chef Trento said. 'All the courses are traditional Swiss dishes served on special occasions.'
