Make your own signature Dutch cheese
9-10-2014
Would you, as chef or company, like to make your own signature Dutch cheese with Mirjam, feel free to contact her!
Mirjam van Hest, daughter of chef Martin Willemsen, started her cheese making profession after finishing her education at the Hotel Management School. Together with her husband, William van Hest, she runs the wholesale cheese company Fromagerie Guillaume, since 1995. Nowadays their son Bas also works at the company which is specialized in composing cheese assortments for the top notch restaurants.
The idea for creating signature cheeses
A while ago Mirjam had the idea to create a cheese with Cas Spijkers (famous Dutch chef), based on his herbs and spices-knowledge and her cheese knowledge. Because of the unfortunally and early death of Cas Spijkers this remained just an idea. Now, a couple of years later, the first cheeses have been created with some other inspiring chefs. Mirjam uses Dutch milk from cows which are grass-fed in the area between Heusden and Altena as a base for her artisan, extra creamy farm cheese. She also has her own website for these cheeses; Mir’s Heart & Soul, at the website you can find where her cheeses are sold.
Popular dishes from New York at Hudson Bar & Kitchen in Zoetermeer
9-10-2014
Hudson Bar & Kitchen, the New York-style restaurant with dishes like the Hudson Burger, Organic Hot Dogs, Chili Con Carne, Wraps, Nachos, Chicken Wings, Cheese Cake and cocktails such as the Royal Mojito and Long Island Ice Tea, recently opened in Zoetermeer.
Willem Post about the similarity between restaurants in NYC and Hudson Bar & Kitchen
During the opening there was a short speech by Willem Post (NYC expert) in which he indicated the similarities between restaurants in the city and the atmosphere and menu of Hudson Bar & Kitchen. He gave his new book, The Magic of New York, to Mariette van Leeuwen, who is alderman of Zoetermeer and officially opened the restaurant. She gave the owners an olive tree…. here we have to point out that currently the growth of the Hudson Bar & Kitchen chain is faster than an olive tree grows. Hudson Bar & Kitchen in Zoetermeer is already the 6th restaurant of the chain. The other locations are in The Hague, Naaldwijk, Rotterdam, Noordwijkerhout and Almere.
About Hudson Bar & Kitchen
The restaurant is located in the ‘Sara Lydia Hoeve’ in Zoetermeer. It’s a spacious, modern decorated restaurant with wall paintings and has a rural American look and feel. In the weekends they have the ‘Afterdinner Beatz’ with DJs and on Sundays the ‘family day’ includes entertainment for the little ones. The restaurant also serves a High Wine arrangement which we earlier wrote about. In the Hudson Suite on the first floor you can eat with a private group.
We wish the owners, Doina Jonkman – de Gier and Alain Reestman lots of success with their new business.
India Pale Ale for sale at Dutch grocery store
9-10-2014
Dutch grocery store Albert Heijn introduced India Pale Ale. The special beers Anchor and BrewDog Punk India Pale Ale (IPA) are now available in their stores. Although IPA is a global trend for years now, until recently it was only available at liquor stores and cafés in the Netherlands. Special beer retailer Bier&Co responded to the increasing demand for home-brewed beers with a distinctive flavor by introducing IPA to the big market.
Bier&Co
Wholesale Bier&Co has a passion for tasteful beer and was the first who brought special beers to the Netherlands. As the demand from consumers, liquor stores and restaurants increased, they have become a serious player in the beer industry as well.
India Pale Ale
IPA beer originates from England, where it was mostly exported to India in the beginning of the 19th century. Because the shipping could take months, extra hops was added to the beer which increased the durability. This process gives IPA beers its typical flavor.
A lobby as living room the hotel
9-10-2014
Last Thursday 2 October the flagship hotel of Mercure reopend, the Mercure Amsterdam City. The entire lobby, restaurant, the flexible workplaces and the lounge are merged in order to meet the changing needs of their guests: “People are travelling more than ever, they are aware of what they want and strive to achieve this. The call for comfort and authenticity is great. At the fully refurbished Mercure Hotel Amsterdam City we offer the high international standards that can be expected from an international hotel and at the same time we let guests get acquainted with local elements that give the hotel its own personal touch” according to Caro Eekelen, COO Accor Hotel Services Benelux.
Gastronomixs goes international
8-10-2014
During this year’s Chefs®evolution, the international website Gastronomixs.com was launched. Gastronomixs is already familiar in the Netherlands and used by a lot of Dutch topchefs. Gastronomixs is an online platform filled with ideas, recipes and inspiration about food. It inspires chefs to create new dishes or to adapt existing recipes. This website contains all the classic cooking methods but also the latest techniques all ordened by ingredient or product. Gastronomixs.com is designed to simplify the culinary creative process! Watch their video for more information.
Pop-up ‘Region Table’ on a farm
7-10-2014
The gentlemen of the Gastrovan prepare a Burgundian meal in the farm of ‘Hoeve Biesland’ in Delfsgauw, The Netherlands, on 10, 11 and 12 October. The stable of the farm will be transformed into a pop-up restaurant that serves 4-course dinners and 3-course lunches. Gastrovan prepares a special menu using fresh organic vegetables of ‘De Groentenboerin’ (The Vegetables Farmer) and the organic beef, lamb and dairy products from the farm itself. The purpose of this event is to get people acquainted in a culinary and educational way with local and organic food.
‘The World’s Best Chefs’
7-10-2014
Here’s a video about the new television series ‘World’s Best Chefs’. It is a new series from Fox in which Katie Button, chef of restaurant Cúrate in Asheville, North Carolina, visits a number of three-star chefs; Grant Achatz, Ferran Adrià, Joan Roca, Alex Atala, Michel Bras, Daniel Humm, Gaston Acurio, Massimo Bottura, Andoni Luis Aduriz and Jose Andres.
We want to see this series in the Netherlands!
We can’t wait for this series to start in the Netherlands and we think a lot of chefs and foodies do too. Who is going to broadcast it?
Update: from 26 October on, 24 Kitchen will broadcast ‘The World’s Best Chefs’ in the Netherlands.
The story of KETEL1
7-10-2014
The Dutch jenever brand KETEL1 launches a new commercial this week. In this video campaign Bob Nolet, 11th generation of the KETEL1 family business, gives a unique insight in his life. For over 300 years, the family business in Schiedam brews this artisan jenever. A special aspect is that in each generation only one member of the family receives access to the secret recipe of the drink.
Previous campaigns:
KETEL1 feels strongly connected with personal stories. They launched storytelling video before with Dutch singers Joshua Nolet (Chef’Special) and Willem de Bruijn (Opposites) in the lead.
What would tour story be?
Another example of Storytelling; ever thought about the story you could tell about your restaurant or hotel?
The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam on Wallpaper’s shortlist, Best Urban Hotels
2-10-2014
The Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam has been called on the shortlist for ‘The Best Urban Hotels’ by Wallpaper.com. Mentioned on the list are those recently opened hotels that are nominated for their price ‘Best Urban Hotels’, amongst others The Mainport Hotel in Rotterdam. The list offers a 136 inspiring pictures with details from all nominated hotels. Great to scroll through if you’re looking for inspiration.
Success!
We wish all participants success of course, but in particular the Walldorf Astoria. This hotel opened in May this year and located in 17th century canal houses in the city centre is an asset to Amsterdam. The former houses were transformed into an impressive hotel provided with all necessary facilities such as a stylish fine dining restaurant (in cooperation with De Librije(***), Librije’s Zusje), Peacock Aley and the Vault bar. The interior of the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, designed by GA Design International, is a combination of old elements of the 17th century and a luxurious design what gives the hotel its elegant atmosphere. In the December issue of Wallpaper the winner will be announced.
Opening Market hall Rotterdam
2-10-2014
The city of Rotterdam has a new a new architectural landmark, The Markthal. Following Stockholm, Barcelona, Valencia and Copenhagen the first indoor market of the Netherlands opened yesterday, 1 October, in Rotterdam. The market hall has the size of a large soccer field and gives space to several entrepreneurs: about 100 fresh produce units, 15 food shops and 8 restaurants are located in this impressive hall. Besides that the market hall a culinary meeting point is, the building has 228 apartments build in the arch as well.
A restaurant, amongst others, located at the Markthal; BasQ Kitchen. We do wish all the entrepreneurs a lot of fun and success at this location.
