Visiting Dutch star chefs across the border

Attention gourmets. Or rather, gourmets who think they've tried everything. Dutch star chefs who have more than earned their stripes, both within and beyond the Dutch borders, invite you into their culinary world. From New York and Los Cabos to Bali, Cape Town and Hong Kong. With ExperienceTravel, you can step into their world […]

Attention, gourmets. Or rather, gourmets who think they've tried it all. Dutch star chefs, who have more than earned their stripes both domestically and internationally, invite you to their culinary world. From New York and Los Cabos to Bali, Cape Town, and Hong Kong. With ExperienceTravel, you'll step into their world, hear about their rise to the top, get a behind-the-scenes look, and, of course, sample their finest creations.

With Syrco Bakker in Bali | April 

Syrco Bakker is a self-taught Michelin-starred chef who proves that talent, passion, courage, innovative ideas, and hard work are the foundation of a successful career. For years, he cooked magnificent dishes at Pure C restaurant in Cadzand, Zeeland, resulting in his first Michelin star in 2011 and a second in 2018. At the end of 2023, he and his family moved to Bali to open his own restaurant in Ubud: Syrco BASÈ.

Despite the distance of over 12.000 kilometers, he maintains the same philosophy there: nature and the seasons shape his dishes, with fresh produce from local farmers, fishermen, and producers taking center stage. In the KU culinary studio, his Chef's Table, he prepares each dish in full view of his guests and personally shares the story behind the product and its preparation.

Accompanied by Syrco, you'll visit an authentic Balinese restaurant where a traditional meal is prepared in harmony with nature. You'll attend a sambal workshop, visit a blacksmith's shop where chef's knives are made, and tour an authentic teahouse and tea plantations. He'll host you for an exclusive dinner with a sublime wine pairing at KU Culinary Atelier. You'll stay at Capella Ubud, surrounded by rainforest, and enjoy a refined 10-course tasting menu at Api Jiwa.

Visiting Margot Janse in South Africa | September

After more than twenty years as chef of The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek, Margot Janse chose a new direction. She remained in South Africa and focused her energy on her community project Isabelo, Feeding Hungry Minds, which provides healthy meals to thousands of children daily. She also hosts small groups for exclusive private dinners at her home in Franschhoek.

You'll enjoy a private dinner at Margot's home, be taken on a culinary discovery tour of Cape Town, and dine at the world-famous Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant Nobu. An exclusive lunch at Wolfgat in Paternoster, including storytelling by Margot, is also part of the program. Together, you'll visit her community project, Isabelo.

You'll stay at the One&Only Cape Town and enjoy a wine tasting with sommelier Luvo Ntezo. A wine tasting in the winelands and dinner at Épice in Franschhoek are the icing on the cake.

At Marco Prins in New York | June

Marco Prins is a true Rotterdam native who, with an unadulterated mentality, reached the culinary world's top. At the end of 2024, he received two Michelin stars at Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare in New York. Seafood takes center stage, with Japanese influences and French cooking techniques.

Join him for a visit to a renowned caviar producer, including a tasting and wine pairing. Enjoy a wine tasting at Millbrook Vineyards & Winery and dine at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Eleven Madison Park. Your final evening concludes with dinner at Marco's own Chef's Table, where he will be your host.

Richard Ekkebus in Hong Kong | October

World-famous in Hong Kong and far beyond, Richard Ekkebus has received three Michelin stars and a green Michelin star for his dedication to sustainability and dairy-free cooking at Amber.

You'll visit the Aberdeen Fish Market with Richard, normally closed to the public. You'll dine at the prestigious Amber Restaurant, located in The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, where you're staying. Richard will also take you to The Wing and The Chairman. You'll visit Lamma Island by traditional junk.

Sidney Schutte in Mexico | November

Sidney Schutte gained fame with his two-Michelin-star restaurant Spectrum at the Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam and is also making an international impression. In Mexico, he is the culinary advisor for Cocina de Autor in Los Cabos.

Your journey begins in Mexico City with a stay at the St. Regis and dinners at leading restaurants. Discover Mexican cuisine during a culinary walk through the historic city center. In Los Cabos, you'll stay at the Grand Velas Resort, home to Cocina de Autor.

With Sidney, you'll visit his favorite taco restaurant and go on a whale-watching safari. The final evening will conclude with dinner at Cocina de Autor, accompanied, of course, by Sidney himself.

Discover all the top culinary tours from ExperienceTravel here.