Unique: The Captains Lunch at Restaurant M*

The opening day of MASTERS EXPO was all about the Exclusive Preview. Visitors had the chance to be the first to enter the exhibition floor and experience the novelties. The Captains Lunch at Restaurant M*, marked the start of the most talked-about gastronomic concept in the Netherlands. The place where the country's greatest chefs - 26 this year, accounting for a total of 42 Michelin stars - celebrate the joy of their profession together.Text: Bart-Jan Brouwer
Image: Good Folk @ MASTERS EXPODThe stairs to the restaurant's entrance feel like a stairway to heaven, with a Valhalla for all the senses beyond. And all entirely coronaproof. Interior designer Mariska Jagt was responsible for the design, in which organic shapes, warm colors and flowers predominate, with permanent partners being lighting expert Maretti, atmosphere supplier ExpoFlora, CPS Interieurs, Silk Flowers and Héman Horeca-verhuur.Giedo van der Garde clinks his glass with that of artist Joseph Klibansky, the country's biggest real estate traders share strong stories with each other, Piet Boon updates Jaguar Land Rover boss Marc Bienemann on his projects in Japan, and BMW's marketing director Peter Haug announces that because of the corona measures, he has taken down the bar at his booth and put an extra car there, next to the brand new i4 and iX. The convivial bustle at the tables somewhat hushed as the first dish was served and people gazed eagerly at the artful creation on the plate: langoustine with sesame, goat cheese and East Indian cherry by Nelson Tanate (De Librije***). Bottles of Acqua Panna and S. Pellegrino go round.Between the sole with parmesan foam and crispy potato by Erik van Loo (Parkheuvel**) and rendang with short rib and ginger by Soenil Bahadoer (De Lindehof**), singers from restaurant Pasta e Basta perform classic arias and calm ballads. Richard Krajicek, Björn Kuipers and Robert Eenhoorn will receive a beautiful framed photo in thanks for their contribution to the Masters of Sport series, a new feature in MASTERS Magazine created by sports journalist Jaap de Groot. Culinary entrepreneur and curator of Restaurant M* Carsten Klint walks contentedly between the full tables, where glasses are filled with a magnificent Barolo.He pauses for a moment as Yves Gijrath takes the floor. The fair organizer emphasizes how special this edition is, how proud he is of all the entrepreneurs and family businesses that make up the Capital of Great Business, as MASTERS EXPO is called, and how grateful he is for loyal partners and sponsors such as wine importer Vinites and Scotch Whisky Investments, which brought the world's oldest bottle of whisky to the fair. He briefly gives the microphone to Winston Gerschtanowitz, one of the founders of EarthToday, to which MASTERS EXPO lends its support. EarthToday is an initiative where everyone can protect a square meter of earth for 1.20 euros, of which 1 euro goes to nature protection. Those who contribute receive a unique digital proof of protection and can visit the geolocation virtually. Given the success of Restaurant M*, where lunch is concluded with panna cotta by Fred Mustert (Restaurant Fred**) and bonbons by François Geurds (FG Food Labs* + FG Restaurant**), the pop-up restaurant will undoubtedly get a real-life sequel next year, because: tastes like more (stars)!