He visits restaurants so often that at home at the table he looks for the menu out of habit. Culinary entrepreneur Carsten Klint knows better than anyone else where to make reservations. And since the restaurants open this week, it is high time to get in the mood...Text: Carsten Klint
Online editing: Natasha Hendriks
Farmer's son Martin Kruithof ("the sailing chef") has resided with his wife Marjan for nearly thirty years in their beautiful restaurant-farmhouse with large and beautiful garden. It is to be envied. After his service, as a cook-soldier, he gained experience in the best restaurants in France and Germany before realizing their dream in Giethoorn with Marjan in 1993. Two years after opening, he received the first Michelin star and in 2005 the second followed. Corona or not, Martin continues to cook. If you can't dine in the restaurant, he serves his dishes in one of the thirteen beautiful suites near the restaurant without a problem. When you book, also book boating with Martin. He tells all about the nature surrounding the most famous water village in the Netherlands. Of course accompanied by tasty dishes and drinks. He also lets you taste various herbs and edible plants that he uses in his cooking. You can't get any closer to nature. If you don't want to take the boat or car to De Lindenhof: you can also land there by helicopter!
Pascal Beeren's De Bokkedoorns in Overveen is an evergreen in the Michelin-starred landscape with a super terrace in the dunes. Pascal took over from father John some time ago and last year completely redesigned the restaurant. The banks did not immediately line up for that. Creative as the young entrepreneur is, he realized this through crowdfunding: he managed to convince sixty regular guests to transfer 5,000 euros each and in this way finance the renovation. His guests will get their investment back in three years in, of course, top-quality food and drink. A smart entrepreneur. Culinary manager is Roy Eijkelkamp, who has been in the kitchen for more than 12 years, the last four of which as chef de cuisine. As a 31-year-old, he managed to retain the two Michelin stars that have adorned the façade since 1991. Inextricably linked to De Bokkedoorns is Peter Bruins. He has been working in the restaurant for over forty years and is an icon in the field of hospitality and wine, as well as a mentor for many hosts and hostesses he has trained. This has not gone unnoticed by Michelin: he was presented with an award for his outstanding work.
In Waalre, under the smoke of Eindhoven, lies restaurant De Treeswijkhoeve of Dick and Anne-Laura Middelweerd. The restaurant is located in wooded surroundings with a beautiful terrace. Dick has also been scoring for ten years with 'Trees for Home': a three-course menu, smart, healthy and easy to finish at home. Atmosphere and quality are central to Dick's kitchen, which has been awarded two Michelin stars since 2013. His inspiration comes from trips, often with his family, to faraway countries such as Peru, Vietnam and Japan. The latter trip probably also explains his love of umami, the fifth flavor besides sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Dick recently celebrated the fact that he has held the title of Master Chef for thirty years, the highest attainable degree of professional competence for a chef in the Netherlands. Maintaining his craft is hugely important to him, but so is expanding his knowledge and sharing it with young people. Sharing is something Dick also does on paper, because after the success and fun of the temporary pop-up restaurant Gustaaf in 2015, with friend and singer Guus Meeuwis, they also wrote fun cookbooks together afterwards.
© 2024 MASTERS EXPO. All rights reserved.
