Chris Aerni - Culinary Excellence

Rossmount Inn is a culinary destination and boutique hotel just minutes from St. Andrews, New Brunswick. It’s where award-winning Chef Chris Aerni—one of Canada’s top chefs—creates world-class, market-fresh, local, and primarily organic cuisine. Since 2001, Chris and his wife Graziella have transformed the 18-room manor house and its 87-acre estate into a charming country inn with a restaurant & bar so popular it boasts one of Canada’s top ten waiting lists. Dining here is extraordinary —book a reservation and discover Chef Aerni’s culinary excellence firsthand.

Chef Chris Aerni

Chef Chris Aerni trained in Switzerland and honed his skills in kitchens and corporate managerial roles from Australia to Toronto. Now a leader in culinary excellence, he mentors young chefs and students while remaining humble, preferring to let his food speak for itself. His daily menu is a testament to his commitment to local, seasonal ingredients—harvested from his garden, foraged from the wild, or sourced from nearby organic farmers and sustainable fisheries. Chris was supporting local long before it was a trend. “Everyone does it now, but I’ve been doing it for 23 years,” he says. A stroll through his garden or a chat at your table reveals the depth of his passion for fresh, creative, and sustainable cuisine.

Rossmount Inn - A Naturally Beautiful Place

When asked about his journey to Rossmount Inn, Chris says, “The idea was always to find a country inn, a small boutique hotel in a naturally beautiful part of Canada where food is foremost. That was the concept 26 years ago, and it still is today.” Together, Chris and Graziella mapped out locations across Canada, from the East Coast to the West, that they felt fit the bill: Lunenburg, Chester, Prince Edward Island, Saint Andrews, and Kelowna, the Okanagan Valley, the Gulf Islands, and Vancouver Island. Then they began searching for properties online while developing a business plan, and traveling to visit promising locations.

Rossmount Inn - Fresh, Local Products

“Rossmount Inn was one of those properties we felt, size-wise and infrastructure-wise, we needed to see,” Chris explains. Along the way, for over three years, they explored other places, too. “What all these locations had in common was that there was more than just one thing for people to do. It wasn’t just bird watching! There was plenty to experience—history, culture, and of course, natural beauty.” Another crucial factor for Chris was access to fresh, local products. “As a chef, I needed ingredients I could connect with, that I could source seasonally to stay creative. That was essential!” He adds with a smile, “If you’re cooking in Toronto, you might say, ‘We use Canadian products, we have lobster on the menu.’ And that’s fine. But here in St. Andrews, I can point to the water and say, ‘You see those waters out there? Let me show you a lobster trap.’ Now that’s fresh!”

 Rossmount Inn - A Boutique Hotel and Local Food Products

The criteria were clear—Chris and Graziella wanted a boutique hotel that would meet every guest’s needs, paired with local food products to fulfill a chef’s dreams. Then, on Saturday, December 16th, 2000, they visited Rossmount for the first time. “I remember it well,” Chris recalls. “It was a sunny, pleasant day. Before our appointment, we wandered through town to get a sense of the vibe and chatted with some locals. I learned the property had been through four owners in the past ten years. Each one bought the place, realized they were in over their heads, and left. There were no promising numbers to show us it could work—just excuses as to why it hadn’t.”

Rossmount Inn - Mountain View Property

Chris, with his background in operations, knew where to focus. He had run large restaurants with 150 employees, even opening some from the blueprint stage. “My first priority was assessing the operations—figuring out how long it would take to reopen if we bought Rossmount. Cash flow is critical! The seller kept going on about the property's potential, especially mentioning Chamcook Mountain. ‘You should go up—it’s a great view,’ he kept telling me. But I wasn’t too concerned; I grew up in Switzerland. If you want to talk about views, let’s start at 10,000 feet!” For Chris, the mountain view was secondary. What mattered most was how the mountain would affect his guests, relaxing on the deck with a drink in hand, soaking in the atmosphere. He needed to know if reopening the trail to the public would disrupt that experience. “Still, the mountain view kept coming up. So I promised the next day, after we take a serious second look at the inn, we’ll walk up and check out the so-called ‘mountain view property.’”

 Rossmount Inn was the One

They had a lot to consider. The nearby town of St. Andrews was a clear advantage, and the property itself offered plenty of space for growth. There was room for gardens, and the country view was beautiful—definitely strong selling points. By then, Chris and Graziella had visited many properties, and Chris hardly needed a calculator anymore. He could estimate the viability of a business plan simply by looking at the number of rooms, restaurant seats, and the length of the season. “We took stock of everything and agreed to hike the mountain the next day since everyone insisted we should. But overnight, it started raining, and the next morning - the fog rolled in, so that plan was scrapped. Instead, we left town and headed to the airport. On the way, I turned to Graziella and asked, ‘So?’ Her reply: ‘There’s nothing bad.’” With plenty of time before their flight, they stopped by the bar at the Hilton for a drink and discussed their gap analysis. It became clear—there were no red flags holding them back. The numbers showed that Rossmount was a viable choice, and by December 31st, 2000, they had made a deal. Rossmount Inn was the one.

Rossmount Inn - 23 Years of a Very Good Life!

Chris and Graziella returned in March 2001 for a final inspection, checking for any potential deal-breakers and spent the night to see how it felt. Everything was in order. Even though snow fell steadily throughout the night, there was a calmness to the place. By morning, two feet of snow blanketed the ground, so their plans to hike the mountain were once again postponed. In mid-April, two weeks after they took possession, Chris finally hiked up Chamcook Mountain. As he took in the view, he thought, “Okay, maybe you don’t need 10,000 feet to appreciate a good view!” That was 23 years ago. “It’s hard to believe it’s been that long,” Chris reflects. “When people ask how long we’ve been here, it surprises me—23 years of building this business and 23 years of a very good life.”

What’s Not to Love about Rossmount?

When asked what he loves about Rossmount, Chris’s eyes light up with understanding. “I always say, it’s the beauty of the land—the charm of Saint Andrews as a hub, the stunning Bay of Fundy, and the Fundy Isles. Plus, I have access to incredible local products and seafood that let me cook and be creative with. That’s what brought us here. But at the end of the day, it’s the people who have kept us here. And that’s my story.”

Chamcook Mountain

I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Chef Aerni, walking Chamcook Mountain as he shared his journey to discovering Rossmount. The trail, starting behind the pool on an old carriage road, is well-maintained and easy to follow. It’s a 1.3 km hike, taking about an hour, with a moderate difficulty due to the 128-metre elevation gain. The reward at the top is stunning panoramic views of Passamaquoddy Bay, Chamcook Lake, St. Croix River, and the Maine coast.

Rossmount Historical Nature Trail

Interpretive signs along the Rossmount Historical Nature Trail reveal the mountain's historical significance. For centuries, people have climbed this mountain to take in the view. Along the way, you pass remnants of a carriage house and sections where massive rocks once stabilized the road for carriages to turn. Before Chef Aerni’s ownership, the trail was closed to the public for over a decade. Now, it is a welcoming place for visitors to wander up the hill and discover its storied past. Learn about the 18th-century Mountain House, said to be haunted and was subsequently torn down. The Victorian carriage house, built in 1889, still stands today. Henry and Sarah Ross purchased the estate in 1902, adding gardens, a duck pond, and a windmill-powered water system. After their passing in 1945, the house burned down in 1961. The current Inn was built on the original foundation, preserving the chimney and front steps.

Rossmount’s Rich History

At the summit, Chris showed me holes in the rock where survey equipment was anchored during the mapping of the Eastern Seaboard in the 1800s. Names and initials chiseled in the rock date back to 1784, though many were sadly sandblasted by previous owners. Today, the interpretive signs help visitors appreciate Rossmount’s rich history. In the past, only the Ross family’s most fortunate guests were invited to this peak but now, thanks to Chris and Graziella’s generosity, it’s open to all. The hike offers a glimpse of the awe Chef Aerni felt when he first discovered the view—one he never takes for granted.

Rossmount Inn - Culinary Destination

My husband Eric and I have shared many wonderful meals, but none compare to our experience at Rossmount Inn. Our first visit was hands down the best meal of our lives. Award-winning Chef Chris Aerni curated every course, and each was a masterpiece. Earlier that same week, Chris invited me to walk Chamcook Mountain with him, where he shared the incredible journey that led him to St. Andrews. While he calls Rossmount his Chef’s Dream, I believe we are the fortunate ones—blessed to enjoy his extraordinary culinary excellence and artistry. If you haven’t yet been, make a reservation and treat yourself to an unforgettable meal at Rossmount. Eric and I returned recently and were as wowed as we were the first time, savouring every bite. This time we stayed the night, and we’re already looking forward to our next visit.

Dine and Stay at Rossmount Inn

Dining at Rossmount Inn is always an adventure, with a menu that changes daily. Open seasonally from mid-April to the end of the year, dinner is available seven days a week to both inn guests and the public. The cuisine is a celebration of the best the land and sea have to offer. For the full experience, I highly recommend the Signature Experience for two. It includes a one-night stay, a 7-course “Trust the Chef” tasting dinner, and a full breakfast. Dine and Stay at Rossmount Inn. And tell Chris and Graziella, the Maritimes Maven sent you!

St. Andrews by-the-Sea

St. Andrews by-the-Sea casts its salty spell on you instantly. The pull of this seaside resort town has enticed wealthy summer visitors since the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. They knew this town was special, and you will, too. You can sense the history and grandeur here. Let it sweep you off your feet and hold you spellbound. I dare you to not to fall in love with St. Andrews.

Kingsbrae Garden

Kingsbrae Garden, in St. Andrews, New Brunswick is a captivating 27-acre haven where traditional formal gardens blend with modern design. Explore themed gardens, each with its own charm, and do not miss the outstanding sculpture garden with masterpieces from a Canada-wide competition. Afterward, relax at the Garden Café, offering a charming patio or cozy indoor dining. This enchanting garden promises a delightful experience for all.

This post was sponsored by Rossmount Inn; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Threads. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!