Hooray! Karsu is the big winner of the FavorFlav Food Top 100, 2023 edition
Who are the tastemakers in the world of food and drink? Who matters in the Dutch culinary scene today? Who determines what we eat and drink this year? That is the question we ask ourselves every year when compiling the FavorFlav Food Top 100, our annual celebration honoring the hundred most influential people in the food scene. First place? This year, it goes to Karsu!
For the seventh year in a row, we compiled a mouthwatering list of the movers & shakers of Dutch gastronomy. Once again, it is an exciting list featuring 100 nominees: a colorful mix of (star) chefs, food producers, restaurateurs, startups, culinary journalists, butchers, sommeliers (beer and wine), pizza makers and other key players in the culinary scene. All of them have made a proven contribution to enriching food and drink culture and awareness in the Netherlands. And, just like the FavorFlav editorial team, they have a beating heart for better food and drink.
We proudly present the winners, along with the accompanying jury report.
Number 1: Karsu
After two seasons of Karsu’s Turkish Kitchen and a new travel and cooking show, Karsu’s Turkey, on 24Kitchen, the cheerful singer and pianist, who also happens to be a fantastic cook, released her first cookbook this year: Karsu’s Kitchen. Wonderful news, but unfortunately it was overshadowed by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people and destroyed entire areas, including the region where her parents were born. Karsu worked to raise as much money as possible through Giro555 and also decided to donate the proceeds from the pre-sales of her cookbook to the earthquake victims. This year’s best-selling cookbook has already raised more than half a million euros. Hats off!
Number 2: Ron Blaauw
10 years ago, Ron pulled the plug on his two-Michelin-starred restaurant, only to return with Ron Gastrobar. No fuss, no tablecloths, but delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere. Because dining out should be a celebration, Ron believes. It didn’t matter; after one year, he was awarded one Michelin star again. To mark the 10th anniversary, a substantial book was published, and Ron created Ron Gastrobar star snacks to pull from the wall at FEBO. And, well, why not, this year the likeable chef opened yet another gastrobar: Ron Gastrobar Bij de C in Bloemendaal aan Zee. And did we already mention that the Ron Gastrobar At Home boxes are still flying off the shelves long after corona? What a BOSS.
Number 3: Keuringsdienst van Waarde
What is the deal with reconstituted meat, what is the difference between tagliatelle and mie, how is it that all pre-packaged cheese slices are exactly the same size, and why are miniature vegetables many times more expensive than their larger varieties? The makers of Keuringsdienst van Waarde investigate it for us, and have been doing so for 21 (!) years. The tried-and-tested concept: first, call the manufacturer. “Is there really tree bark in this goat cheese?” Nine times out of ten, they don’t know the answer, but they do come up with some kind of bullshit story. The reporter then visits the factory to meticulously find out how things really work. Some conclusions are downright shocking. Top-notch infotainment that keeps both manufacturers and consumers on their toes.
Special dinner
FavorFlav Food Top 100 #7 was announced with all nominees on Monday, November 20, in the iconic Wintergarden of Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam, where top chefs Tim Golsteijn (Bougainville*), Thomas Val (Wils*), Casimir Evens (Odille), Chris Naylor (Vermeer) and Maartje de Nie (Pastry Chef at Grand Café Krasnapolsky) prepared a six-course dinner.
The event was hosted by YouTube chef and cookbook author Nick Toet. You can watch the FavorFlav Food Top 100, 2023 edition here.
Read the full Top 100, including their achievements, here.
Read also:
- Italian shares his secrets: this is how to get the best pasta at the supermarket
- Shrinkflation: this is how supermarkets rip you off
- The 11 best Chinese restaurants in Amsterdam
