The Nieuwe Lekkerbek Talk #2

In De Nieuwe Lekkerbek, a professional jury searches for the Netherlands’ next taste sensation. Sort of like Idols, but with food, which can only make for entertaining television. What exactly goes through my mind during an episode like this? I write it all down for you every week.

The theme of the episode was balls. They came from the deep fryer or the oven, because, well, balls are always delicious. If I were to take part, I think I’d develop my own ball too. A bitterballen with bone marrow in the middle, for example, or rendang or Chinese braised beef. Anyway, let’s first see what the actual contestants put in their balls.

1. Oh no, a cricket burger. I really don’t understand this whole insect trend; I’ve never come across a cricket I liked the taste of. It’s not disgusting, mind you, but you don’t eat things just because they’re ‘not disgusting’, do you? Very curious to see what the jury thinks of this.
2. Candice has made a kind of all-flavours candy, but in bitterballen form. I don’t think this is for me either. I immediately think of all those times I thought I was going to drink cola, only for it to be iced tea. Or the other way around. Surely nothing is worse? I just want to know what I’m getting.
3. Oh, they’re dating balls! With cards for when you’ve completely run out of things to talk about. Hahahaha. Could Candice please just act normal for a moment?
4. Marlijn about the cricket burger: “It’s seriously not disgusting.” See!? I told you! Not delicious either. Don’t eat it, then.
5. Folkert and Simon explain that their burger is a better alternative to meat. I still don’t understand why you can’t just make that burger with lentils and cumin, without crickets. Alain’s expression says it all; he thinks it’s nonsense too. Love you, Alain.
6. Now it’s time for Candice’s ‘Smaakvermaak’ balls. I’m bracing myself. The concept: you taste which bitterballen you have, go to the card for that bitterballen and answer the questions on it. ‘Which celebrity would you like to share a bed with?’ ‘Would you move abroad for love?’ All to create that offline moment and put your phone away. Sorry, but if you need these cards to have a conversation with your friends/partner, you’d better just stay in bed all day.
7. “Now, about the flavour.” That’s the spirit, Alain; surely that’s the most important thing. Not very tasty and not very innovative, is the verdict. Next!
8. Oh my God, here it comes. David has developed a bolobal. How delicious! Last week I thought the lasagne disc looked a little like an arancini, but this comes even closer. Isn’t this exactly what you need at every Friday afternoon drinks party?
9. And those lovely grandma-style little dishes he puts his flour, egg and breadcrumbs in. This is just too cute. I love David.
10. Elise is making amstaretti: amaretti with elderflower from Vondelpark, dried in her own garden. Also very cute.
11. Elise explains the health benefits of almond flour. It’s good for your cholesterol and vitamin E. Too bad there’s also a lot of sugar in a cookie like that. Or, actually, not too bad at all, because it’s simply delicious. That does mean the cookie doesn’t quite fit into the ‘health snack’ category Elise is trying so desperately to force it into.
12. Luckily, David is back with his boloballs. He has also added Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb coating. David is a genius!
13. Oh no, not quite. According to Robert, the Parmesan is too dominant and makes the ball dry. Oh, what a shame.
14. Yvonne about her basic sauce with lots of garlic, which goes well with everything: “If I told you everything that’s in it, you might think: everything tastes the same at Vonnie’s house, but that’s not true because it’s the base.” Vonnie, when are you inviting me over?
15. Alain isn’t a fan, at least; he immediately washes the basic sauce away with a big gulp of water and looks extremely grumpy. Anything is better than spitting the food back into the napkin again, like he did last week. I see progress.
16. Why has no one ever thought of a cheese waffle before? This is brilliant! It also has those delicious crispy bits of cheese that are always the best bites in a toasted sandwich.
17. Daan finds Renate’s fruit sugar too sweet. Robert: “Yes, I share that opinion.” Just say: “I think so too.” Does Robert talk to his friends like that as well?
19. Luckily, Renate has a rock-solid comeback: “I’m not here to present fruit to you, but sugar.” That’s right, girl, that’s right!
20. Chantal’s vegetable slices really don’t appeal to me. What’s wrong with just putting some tomatoes and garlic on bread? Or peas with a little lemon zest and chilli flakes? You don’t need those shiny slices for that, do you?
21. Ivy’s spicy sucijsjes sound absolutely delicious. I wonder if she sells that sambal separately too? I hope so.
22. Alain takes a very big bite of Sriracha because he thinks it’s ketchup. Tears roll down his cheeks and his voice completely cracks. This is hands down the best moment of the episode. A little warning next time, Danny?
23. Vegan pita gyros. Doesn’t that already exist? Vleesch Noch Visch is at literally every food festival and has a permanent kiosk in Amsterdam. I don’t think it can get tastier than that, but it’s still nice that Michael is giving it a try.
24. Ivy: “This is sambal.” As if she had just been allowed to watch Alain go up in flames live. Very good; always give people a warning when there are a lot of peppers involved.
25. “Good question, good question!” Alain calls out about himself after asking Ivy why she chose the name sucijsjes. I really recognise a lot of myself in Alain: patting yourself on the back, just wonderful.
26. Ah yes, Ivy has made it through with her spicy appetiser! Totally deserved; she really did have the most fun-loving friends.

Best moment of the week: Alain burning his mouth on Sriracha.
Foodie of the week: Ivy and her sucijsjes; I can’t think about anything else anymore. I’m craving this appetiser so much.
Fashionista of the week: Chantal matching her hair to the colour of her vegetable slices. Chapeau!

More Nieuwe Lekkerbek talk?

• The Nieuwe Lekkerbek Talk #1
• The Nieuwe Lekkerbek Talk #3
• The Nieuwe Lekkerbek Talk #4
• The Nieuwe Lekkerbek Talk #5

Want to watch the episode again? You can do that here.