This is the definitive list of 2017
On November 20, it was announced during an incredible dinner at Hotel Arena in Amsterdam who made the FavorFlav Food Top 100. Who the tastemakers, shakers and movers of 2017 are. Number 1? That spot goes to Joris Bijdendijk.
No one escaped his attention this year: chef at RIJKS® and passionate advocate of eating unfamiliar products such as horsemeat and kid goat. Recently, he launched a substantial book in which he explains the cuisine of the Low Countries. Along the way, he also became an SVH Meesterkok, the highest title a chef can achieve. At his beloved RIJKS®, he makes a great impression not only with his fantastic dishes, but also with renowned guest chefs who cook alongside him in his kitchen.
The dinner
First, guests enjoyed cocktails: the Vesper Goldfinger by Alberto Matallana (World Class Bartender of the Year) or YAYA Kombucha as an alcohol-free alternative. This was accompanied by a charcuterie board from Brandt & Levie and giant flying emping with homemade hoisin, sweet potato and Thai basil from Vrouw met de Baard.
The amuse-bouche—scallop ceviche—was prepared by Joris Bijdendijk (RIJKS®). The starter—cappuccino with king crab—came from Schilo van Coevorden (Taiko), while Guillaume de Beer and Freek van Noortwijk (Breda/Guts & Glory) prepared the first intermediate course: potato with pickled shallot and beurre blanc. Next came eggplant ‘steak tartare’ from Peter Lute (restaurant).
Both the main course of venison, mushrooms, almond and green pepper and the dessert with Granny Smith, lemon and pistachio came from Peter Scholte (Hotel Arena). All the wines, from the Crémant de Limoux served as an aperitif to the Jurançon moelleux with dessert, were provided by Haarlem wine merchant Okhuysen. San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna provided a non-alcoholic refreshment. Naturally, the winners did not leave empty-handed. They received a delicious bottle of Dom Pérignon and a beautiful bouquet, provided by the men of the flower family.
Top 10 FavorFlav Food Top 100
1. Joris Bijdendijk – chef RIJKS®
2. Yvette van Boven – cookbook author and TV chef
3. Ruud Zanders and Styn Claessens – Kipster Farm
4. Alain, David and Tom Caron – Café Caron
5. Janny van der Heijden – TV personality and cookbook author
6. Ron Simpson and Julien Zaal – The Avocado Show
7. Miljuschka Witzenhausen – TV personality and cookbook author
8. Edwin Streep – Vegan Junk Food Bar
9. Team Dahl TV and Maarten Remmers – Keuringsdienst van Waarde
10. Bram Ladage – chip shop owner
The list was compiled by the editors and readers of FavorFlav and consists of a colorful mix of chefs, food producers, food entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, food writers, brand builders, food creatives, food start-ups, and more. Established names and promising ‘rising stars’ side by side. The most important criterion: what has this person contributed to delicious, high-quality food in the Netherlands—in keeping with FavorFlav’s mission.
