Co-creation around the Christmas Tree
7-11-2014
Inspiration for decorating the Christmas Tree. Claridge’s, London’s legendary Mayfair Hotel, had the famous designers Dolce & Gabbana design their Christmas Tree last year.
In the Netherlands we start decorating our Christmas Trees from 6 December. So another month and we will be in the Christmas spirit again and people will expect this in restaurants and hotels as well. The idea of the Claridge hotel is a great example of co-creation. The Christmas Tree from the hotel has already been designed by McQueens, Lanvin (Alber Elbaz) and Dior (John Galliano). The effect; many articles in high fashion magazines and many online hits.
Co-create locally
To get your restaurant or hotel in the picture, it is important to reach the local press and spread pictures through social media. Co-create your tree with designers or other celebrities from your own city, to create rumour around the brand. For the ‘designer‘ it’s positive to get his or her name in the press as well.
Throw a party when you unveil the Christmas tree!
If you unveil such a special tree, you need to give it a lot of attention, throw a party. Serve bubbles, eggnog or a winter cocktail when the lights go on. Together with the designers, your staff, local press, friends and local food bloggers. Interested in more inspiration for Christmas, check our hospitable Christmas gestures from last year.
Mumbai streetfood in Amsterdam
4-11-2014
As from October 21, 2014 SHIRKHAN brings the scent and the traditional flavours of Mumbai streetfood to the ‘Foodhallen’ in Amsterdam West.
Yossi Eliyahoo, owner and developer of the well-known international hotspots IZAKAYA, MOMO and The Butcher (West), has joined forces with top chef Hariprasad Shetty to introduce the first real Mumbai street food concept in the Netherlands. Chef Hariprasad Shetty was born and raised in India and has an unconditional love for Indian cuisine. His passion and knowledge of authentic Indian cuisine can be recognized in each of the streetfood dishes at SHIRKHAN.
Lamb Seekh and Chicken Tikka
Dishes like Lamb Seekh and Chicken Tikka are prepared the traditional way in the Tandoor oven or at the Indian grill in view of the guests. The impressive hand-made Tandoor oven is decorated with gold and bronze mosaic and obviously the showpiece of SHIRKHAN. The meat is served on metal skewers with homemade chutney, salads and fresh naan bread.
Indian street food in London as an example
Yossi Eliyahoo’s idea for SHIRKHAN is inspired by the Indian cuisine in London. Indian food is served there at almost every street corner. In the Netherlands the supply of traditional Indian streetfood is however minimal. We wish Yossi Eliyahoo and chef Hariprasad Shetty a lot of success with their SHIRKHAN.
Coffee jam with Kopi Dua Coffee
31-10-2014
Kopi Dua Exquisite Coffee has invited some chefs to inspire them with coffee-food pairings. The chefs were invited at restaurant The Raffles in The Hague and at arrival they were served a mocktail with espresso, mango ice cream and ginger-ale. From there, the senses were stimulated by starting with dessert. The dishes were explained by chef Pascal Jalhay and Kopi Dua provided the explanation of the coffee being served. Coffee was not only being served as drink but also processed as ingredient.
Some examples of coffee-food pairings
• Dark chocolate with Rendang mousse being served with the Kopi Dua Cold Brew (coffee with coarse grinding, brewed for 20 hours at 2 degrees).
• Mackerel smoked on coffee.
• A dish of oyster and coffee by Bram Hellemans (Zout & Citroen).
• Mini profiterols with coffee and lime serehtopping by Jamie van Heije.
Coffee served in wine glasses
Like tea certain types of coffee are served in wine glasses. Kopi Dua serves their ‘oldfashioned filtercoffee’ Madu Dua from Sumatra, at the table through a Chemex and pours it into wine glasses.
Food pairing with tea and coffee popular
This week we wrote about the Dilmah ‘School of Tea’. Combining tea and coffee with various dishes is not new, but there are still very few restaurants doing it. It provides a surprising effect if the standard combination with wine is replaced with tea or coffee during one of the dishes. This may trigger your guests to discuss their perfect pairing suggestions with you.
Tea Gastronomy – The Dutch School of Tea by Dilmah
30-10-2014
Tea is more than just a popular hot drink – its possibilities are in a constant evolution. You can combine tea with cheese, process it in dishes, cocktails or mocktails.
School of Tea
The Sri Lankan family business Dilmah organized the first Dutch ‘School of Tea’ at the estate ‘Duin & Kruidberg’ in the Netherlands. During the lessons, the visitors were given information about the production process and types of tea (the white-, green-, Oolong and black tea) and the distinction of the teas based on the scent. Of course, the visitors also received detailed information on making a perfect cup of tea and masterclasses were given about pairing tea and food.
Tea & Cheese Pairing by Betty Koster
Betty Koster, cheesemaker and owner of Fromagerie L’Amuse in Amsterdam, lets the audience experience how well tea and cheese go together. She presented cheeses from France, the Netherlands and Italy, which she combined with Natural Jasmine Green Tea and Ceylon Souchong Black Tea. Betty Koster has been experimenting with combining tea and cheese for years, we already wrote about it in 2011.
Tea Gastronomy by Jeroen van Oijen & Hidde de Brabander
During the ‘School of Tea’-program Chef Jeroen Van Oijen showed participants how to make a typical Dutch soup ‘snert’ (kind of pea soup) with Dilmah Ceylon Souchong as ingredient. The smoky taste – that in a normal ‘snert’ comes from the sausage – was in this case replaced by the smoky flavor of the tea. Chef Hidde de Brabander used the tea as sour-substitute in a dessert; sacher biscuit with bitter almond and sour pear. The vinegar was replaced by Japanese ‘yuzu juice’ and the water by a green tea. The dish was combined with a Ginger and Rose black tea.
Tea Mixology by Robert Schinkel & Tess Posthumus
Bartender and tea sommelier Robert Schinkel created – along with award-winning bartender Tess Posthumus – a series of surprising tea cocktails such as Souchong Ceylon with Johnnie Walker, Jasmine Green Tea with tequilla and a cocktail of Earl Grey with Ketel One. As mocktail they presented a mix of French Rose & Vanilla tea with pear juice, ginger and fresh lime.
Dilmah shows the potential of its teas
Recently we wrote about restaurant Vermeer who won the Dutch ticket to the final of the ‘Global Real High Tea Challenge’, organized by Dilmah.
RIJKS® at Rijksmuseum
29-10-2014
On 1 November 2014, the RIJKS® restaurant of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will open. The restaurant is located in the redesigned Philips wing, the final renovated wing of the museum. The restaurant will be open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner, has 140 seats, a separate room for 36 guests and a terrace with 130 seats. There is a separate entrance to the restaurant on outside of the Rijksmuseum. RIJKS® is a joint venture of Vermaat Groep and the Rijksmuseum.
Responsible for the interior; Paul Linse
For the RIJKS® designer Paul Linse used a mix of materials such as bronze, oak, marble, blue steel and suede. This gives the restaurant it’s cool and stylisch character in combination with the design furniture. Paul Linse was previous responsible for the interior design of various stations in the Netherlands, like Rotterdam Central Station and multiple projects at Schiphol.
The chefs; Joris Bijdendijk, Wim de Beer and Jos Timmer
Joris Bijdendijk is responsible for the kitchen team of Restaurant RIJKS®, that each season will be inspired by an international guest cook. Margot Janse from South Africa kicks off in January. The focus of the restaurant lies on Dutch products with inspiration from the exotic flavors that influenced the Dutch cuisine through the centuries. The chefs share the Slow Food mindset and have used products from The Ark of Taste in their dishes. Inspiring: At the restaurant a ‘RIJKS TABLE’ is served, check out the menu on the website to learn more about this. We are looking forward to future RIJKS TABLES inspired by the guest cooks and wish Joris Bijdendijk and his team a lot of fun and success at the RIJKS® in the Rijksmuseum.
Central Park by Ron Blaauw
23-10-2014
Restaurant and boutique hotel Savelberg will be transformed into Central Park by Ron Blaauw. The hotel and restaurant is located in the historic building ‘Vreugd en Rust’ (Joy and Peace), in the green area of Den Haag-Voorburg. With the arrival of Ron Blaauw as chef they chose for a new culinary formula. The restaurant concept is inspired by the accessible formula of his successful Gastrobar (*) in Amsterdam.
Central Park by Ron Blaauw
Culinary entrepreneur Carsten Klint is the new owner of the historic building. Along with Ron Blaauw he turns it into an affordable, culinary meeting spot: “from Picnic to Château Petrus.” The new name devised Carsten Klint with Perry Valkenburg, President Europe and COO International TBWA Worldwide, and this name emphasizes the new concept and its focus points: surprising, innovative and international. Currently the building is thoroughly restyled and adapted to today’s spirit, but with respect for the monumental details. Early November the doors of Central Park by Ron Blaauw will be opened.
Last summer we experienced in Napa Valley in California, how much fun it is to combine wine tastings, small dishes and picnics. Several wineries offer this option in their gardens. Great that a ‘culinary responsible’ picnic will be possible next year in Central Park by Ron Blaauw. We wish Carsten Klint and Ron Blaauw success with their new business! ^Marjolein
Sausage atelier of Brandt & Levie by crowdfunding
22-10-2014
Jiri, Geert and Samuel of Brandt & Levie sausage makers started more than three years ago their own sausage shop. This autumn Brandt & Levie want to move to the ‘Houthavens’ in Amsterdam, here they want to make one of their dreams come true. They want to open their own sausage atelier consisting of a work area and a small butcher shop. The workarea is a place where guests can make their own sausage and where new experiments can be seen, smelled and tasted. They want to give workshops, receive schools and organize events to inspire others to make their own sausage. At the small artisan butcher, products can be tasted and purchased.
Opening ‘The Butcher’ in de ‘Foodhallen’ in Amsterdam
21-10-2014
The successful burger concept ‘The Butcher’ opens its second location today, 21 October 2014, in the Foodhallen in Amsterdam. ‘The Butcher’ is a stylish bar serving only top-quality burgers. The burgers are prepared on the spot and made with fresh ingredients. For example, the chefs choose to work only with the best quality meat, fresh vegetables, homemade buns and their signature sauces.
Two years ago, ‘The Butcher’ opened its doors on the Albert Cuyp market in Amsterdam. After the great success of this branch, now a second location opened in Amsterdam West.
More and more great initiatives open in de the Foodhallen in Amsterdam. Earlier, we wrote about the opening of Brasserie Halte 3 in the Foodhallen.
Share the taste of Vadouvan of Jonnie Boer
20-10-2014
From 6 to 12 October home cooks could win a special prize by sharing the taste of Vadouvan by Jonnie Boer with their neighbors. The 20 home cooks who shared the most meals with Vadouvan, won a cooking workshop at the Librije(***) worth of € 95, -. The workshop will take place at the end of this year and gives the winners the opportunity to cook in a professional kitchen. During the workshop, the 20 winners will prepare three dishes featuring the Vadouvan spices of the ‘Original Spices’ line by Jonnie Boer. The master chef himself will provide the winners with tips and preparation techniques.
Hufterproof concept: the BurgerBar
16-10-2014
In 2013 a burger bar was developed near the ‘PaintballStrand’ (Paintball Beach) in Ermelo. The bar is located near the water and has the relaxing atmosphere of a beach club. The wooden furniture provides the BurgerBar its rough edge which fits well with a concept like paintball. The BurgerBar serves a large 100% beef burger of 180 gram on a sesame bun with melted cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes and onions as specialty. The burgers are served with thick fries in wooden crates. Besides the burgers other food & drinks are served in the crates as well. A special feature of the concept is that a discount is given for large orders: a crate for multiple people is less expensive then when ordered individually.
The concept of the burger bar was developed in 2013 by the Van Spronsen & Partners Group and has been implemented in a monumental farm in Ewijk as well.
