From Basel with Beef – My Personal Beef? £18 Mince and Paying for Art!

My Personal Beef This Week

I’m five weeks into Basel life and let me tell you — I’ve got a beef, and it’s not on the plate.

Let’s start with the museums. In London, we’re spoilt. You can wander into the Tate, the V&A, or the National Gallery without spending a penny. But here in Basel? You’ll need to pay for the privilege. And don’t get me wrong, the galleries here are brilliant — but I hope every visitor soaking up those masterpieces realises how lucky they are.

Next up: beef.I haven’t had a steak since I arrived. Why? Because mince (Rindfleisch) is the best value option right now — and for 10% fat content, it’s costing me the equivalent of £18 per kilo. That’s mince. Not sirloin. Not dry-aged ribeye. Mince. Bonkers, isn’t it?

I could nip across the border, but you’re only allowed to bring 1kg of meat per day into Switzerland — not exactly worth the effort unless I fancy a second career as a meat smuggler.

Beefy Bites from Switzerland, Germany, and France

Switzerland

• Major supermarkets like Migros and Coop have bumped beef prices again, citing fuel and transport costs.

• Veal remains a premium dining favourite, but suppliers say margins are thinner than a carpaccio.

Germany

• Sunshine has sparked a surge in BBQ demand, especially for beef bratwurst and marinated grill cuts.

• Some German butchers are now using digital scales with touchscreens — a modern twist to traditional counters.

France

• It’s August exodus season. Big city butchers are closing early while coastal shops are booming with demand for beef brochettes.

• French food critics just crowned Aubrac and Charolais beef as “national treasures” — though butchers worry the export buzz may drive up prices at home.

Final Thoughts

Still no steak for me, and I’m rationing mince like it’s wartime. But I’m embracing the adventure — exploring Basel, capturing stories, and keeping my eye on beef trends across the borders.

Until next Wednesday — stay sharp, and remember: Some beefs are personal.