Rob Roy Cameron was no stranger to stress. He had worked at the legendary el Bulli before helping Albert Adria open 41 Degrees and Hoja Santo clinching a Michelin star for both restaurants in the process. As he said, the stress of opening a restaurant is huge but when he embarked on a motorcycle journey from Barcelona to South Africa to visit his family, this certainly helped put things in perspective. After having worked at Hoja Santo and 41 Degrees he was feeling not only under stress but he felt that he needed time for himself. He needed a break and he needed to decide on his future. “Do I work in pastry or chocolate or do I become a chef,” was the question that was tearing him apart. Originally from South Africa, he arrived in Spain via the UK where he had originally moved to become a photographer. The digital revolution had played havoc with his plans as photography moved from analog to digital. He had not visited his father’s place in South Africa for a long time and so he … [Read more...]
The crazy life of a World Restaurant Awards judge
It is 8.30am on Tuesday morning. 23 hours ago I landed in Brussels from New York via Dublin courtesy of a cancelled flight by Brussels Airlines. I am asleep in that zone between sleep and waking up when I faintly hear our youngest son, 19 months old chatting. I'm up with a jolt. Wide awake. And without prompting I know exactly what has happened. I did not need to look at the watch to know it was late, very late. I had fallen asleep without remembering to switch on the alarm that normally rings automatically every weekday morning at 6.50am unless I switch it off. The eldest 2 children should have been at school 10 minutes ago. A mad rush ensued as my wife and I try to get things ready as fast as possible. Within 30 minutes the children are at school but the week had gotten off to a bad start. The trip to New York had been short and jet lag had barely kicked in or so I thought. That pretty much sums the past 40 days that have been a bit of a roller coaster. Over the past 40 … [Read more...]
Crenn, Kornack, Bengtsson and Nakayama in New York for Steinbeisser vegan feast
On May 18 and 19, Steinbeisser will be partnering with the James Beard Foundation to bring renowned chefs Dominique Crenn, Elise Kornack, Emma Bengtsson and Niki Nakayama together for the New York City premiere of experimental gastronomy at 99 Scott in Brooklyn. Four of the best chefs in the United States will create a nine-course organic vegan tasting menu in collaboration with 15 artists who will craft custom cutlery and tableware especially for the occasion. Experimental gastronomy is a unique immersive experience that brings together acclaimed chefs and artists to create an exciting and radically different way of enjoying food. A portion of the proceeds form the dinners will support the James Beard Foundation Women's Leadership programmes. Dominique Crenn of Atelier Crenn is the first female chef in the US to earn three Michelin stars. Elise Kornack is the former chef and owner of one Michelin star Take Root in New York, Emma Bengtsson of Aquavit, New York is the only … [Read more...]
Season 8 of Villa Louise announced
The eighth season of Villa Louise, probably the World's most exclusive kitchen has been announced. It will welcome the likes of Tim Raue, Richard Ekkebus, Nick Bril, Syrco Bakker, Julien Royer, David Kinchand Arnaud Lallement to mention just a few names. Villa Louise started in 2012 as an offshoot of asset manager Creutz and Partners. Since that year, they have been inviting some of the world's best chefs into its private kitchen to collaborate, cook and share their creativity with their clients. Started through the passion for food of Yves Creutz, executive member of the board of directors of Creutz and Partners, it is slowly approaching 100 stars which was the target set by Yves when we interviewed him. To date a total of 93 Michelin stars have been accumulated. The first dinner for season 8 will take place in February and features German chef Tim Raue of restaurant Tim Raue in Berlin. The lunch will be also accompanied by a keynote speech of author Bas Kast about … [Read more...]
Daniel Humm and Will Guidara to open restaurant in London
Chef Daniel Humm and restauranteur Will Guidara have today announced that they will open Davies and Brook, a restaurant at the Claridge's Hotel in London. The co-owners of the hospitality group Make it Nice that was established in 2011 and which owns and operates Eleven Madison Park, NoMad New York, NoMad Los Angeles, NoMad Bar and Made Nice said they were excited to finally share the news that they will open Davies and Brook this summer at the Claridges Hotel. "Having the opportunity to bring our cuisine and hospitality is such a remarkable feeling and a dream come true. It is the first time that I am opening a restaurant in Europe after leaving for the states so many years ago. When I was 15 years old. I evel had a job at Claridge's - it was a place I looked up to with awe and never in a million years thought I'd be opening a restaurant within those walls," said Daniel Humm. He said being able to go back is really emotional and feels like coming home. Will Guidara said … [Read more...]
Tokyo: In Zaiyu’s DEN
Den or no Den? Tiramisu or Tea-ramisu? Coffee or no Coffee? Japanese chef Zaiyu Hasegawa loves what he does and he and his team do their utmost to put a smile on people's faces. As you walk into restaurant Den, there is a sign on the door. It is Le Gaulois. It is a bit confusing they tell me when they send an email with instructions of how to get to the restaurant. The name is that of a French restaurant which was there before Den. So why didn't they change it? It is because it was one of Hasegawa’s favourite restaurants and he decided to keep the decor in place when he moved the restaurant there. What was most important for him was to have a bigger kitchen because he wants to be able to see everyone while he is cooking. Zaiyu Hasegawa and his team at Restaurant Den are the Japanese family you never knew you had until you set foot in their restaurant in Tokyo. Japan and the Japanese are known for their welcome and their hospitality but the team at Den take it to the … [Read more...]
Richard Ekkebus to cook in the Netherlands at Rijks after 33 years
Dutch chef Richard Ekkebus will be returning to cook in the Netherlands at Rijks Restaurant on 26 and 27 January with Joris Bijdendijk. The restaurant is housed in the Rijks Museum. Ekkebus is chef of the world acclaimed Hong Kong restaurant Amber which is housed in the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The Dutch chef from Vlissingen has trained with some of the greatest three- star chefs in France including Pierre Gagnaire, Alain Passard and Guy Savoy. After an impressive career he became executive chef of Amber. The restaurant, which ranked 56th in the World's 50 Best restaurants list 2018 and 7th in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2019 list is currently closed for refurbishment. At Amber, Ekkebus strives to use the best and freshest ingredients that mainly come from Japan and Europe. For the last weekend of January, chef Ekkebus and Bijdendijk will create a special four-hands menu for lunch and dinner. Richard said that it was inspiring for him and his team to cook in the … [Read more...]
A new chapter begins for Gert de Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens
Silence reigns in the kitchen that used to be so hectic in Zedelgem at Hertog Jan, the three Michelin star restaurant of Gert de Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens. The kitchen has been empty since the last service on 22 December. On Instagram stories, Gert is maybe feeling a bit nostalgic after the holidays. The kitchen is completely empty and on a photo of the empty kitchen he writes ‘It’s oh so quiet’. The next post however shows that the two are not resting on their laurels. The new Bistro L.E.S.S. will open in the centre of Bruges in the coming weeks and the works are going on at full steam. Just under a year ago, Gert and Joachim shocked their Belgian and international followers when they announced the decision to close their flagship restaurant in December last year. Many could not understand their decision and some still cannot understand why they walked away when they were at the top. Some still wonder what made them take that drastic decision though it might be easy to … [Read more...]
Q&A with Tom Kerridge
Tom Kerridge has recently published a new book Tom Kerridge's Fresh Start to coincide with a new BBC Two television series of the same name. We recently caught up with him for a long interview at the Corinthia Hotel London where he has opened the acclaimed Tom Kerridge Bar and Grill. This is the second part of our interview with Tom in our Q&A format. The first part of the interview can be found here. Your best ever meal? My best ever restaurant meal was at the Fat Duck. My best ever meal is Christmas Day with family and friends. Your favourite dish? It depends on where you are at but probably it would be fish and chips sitting on the beach at winter time. Is there something you don't eat? I have a shellfish allergy so shellfish. One thing in a professional kitchen that should be in every person's kitchen? A very nice set of knives that are sharp and work. Best places to eat in the UK? Bidendum or Core by Clare Smyth in London, Restaurant Sat Bains … [Read more...]
The best of 2018: a year of Food and Wine Gazette
2018 has come and is about to go and it has been an incredible year for Food and Wine Gazette. Before I take you on a tour of what we covered during the year, I would like to thank you and express my gratitude for your constant support be it through reading, liking, sharing or even providing valuable feedback on a constant basis. We don't often hear about Maltese chefs but at the start of the year we put a spotlight on one of the most successful Maltese chefs Marvin Gauci interviewing him about his ventures, the opening of his restaurant in Budapest at the Corinthia Hotel and also how he intended to expand his business. Nick Bril announced the launch of a private dining room in his office next to The Jane in Antwerp called The Jane Table. Our first long form interview was with Bart de Pooter who touched upon the dinner at el Bulli which changed his perspective on food forever. That was barely posted when Gert de Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens … [Read more...]