Impressing your in-laws? This is how (star) chefs do it
Ever since I could talk, I’ve been asking questions. Good questions, dumb questions (because yes, they definitely do exist), weird questions and useful questions. I do that in this column too. Ask questions. To (star) chefs. A different one every week. Not a different chef, but a different question. This week: what did you make to impress your in-laws?
Jacob Jan Boerma (De Leest ***): “That was more than 18 years ago, I wouldn’t know what I made back then.”
Joris Bijdendijk (RIJKS *): “Chicken with leek and tarragon” (see the recipe here!)
Sergio Herman (including The Jane**, Pure C, Frites Atelier): “They came to eat at the restaurant, so that was well taken care of, haha!”
Pascal Jalhay: “Phew, that was a long time ago, but I didn’t have to try very hard back then. I had already won over their daughter, after all! I believe it was various kinds of mashed-potato dishes with braised beef, simply incredibly delicious. Food that leaves time to talk to each other… so important. And some very lovely wines!”
Edwin Vinke (De Kromme Watergang **): “With a jar of caviar and a bottle of champagne, I asked my father-in-law for his daughter’s hand, and afterwards we watched football.”
Jonnie Boer (De Librije ***): “Then I don’t cook.”
Schilo van Coevorden (Conservatorium Hotel): “A beautiful piece of roasted wagyu beef and truffle risotto. That shows them you can afford a few things, so you can take good care of their daughter. The father is impressed because he’s heard of wagyu, but has never eaten it. And if the father is happy, the mother is too.”
Freek van Noortwijk (including Breda, Guts & Glory, Maris Piper): “Bouillabaisse, I knew Katja’s father really liked fish soup.”
Onno Kokmeijer (Ciel Bleu **): “Make a dessert; that way they’ll be outside again sooner, haha!”
Also read:
- I asked (star) chefs what they eat to cure a hangover
- These are the ready-made foods (star) chefs always buy
- What (star) chefs think of other people’s cooking
- I asked (star) chefs where they most like to eat out
- These are the biggest misconceptions about chefs, according to chefs
- I asked (star) chefs about their favorite fast-food chain
- I asked (star) chefs about their guilty pleasure
- What do (star) chefs eat when they’re drunk?
