Attended by 120 members and guests from Germany, Portugal, Spain, England, Singapore, Belgium, Turkey and the United States, our Grand Chapitre was held in the provinces of Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe.

Friday: Coffee on the Landgoed Hotel Lauswolt’s terrace in Beetsterzwaag was followed by an afternoon river trip with delicious refreshments. Berthing in Grou we were bused to Leeuwarden. The roof top of WTC with beautiful city views was our dinner destination at restaurant Elévé. A fantastic evening.

Saturday daytime: First stop Kruidhof in Buitenpost for a guided tour of this large botanical herb garden with nibbles created from garden products. Next Fogelsangh State to explore the Harinxma family’s 13th century castle. Then Piloersemaborg in the Groningen Den Ham where Chaîne member Francois Leupold hosted a Champagne Gobillard et Fils reception followed by a remarkably tasty lunch with flavours reminiscent of times past.

Saturday evening: Mohamed Hammam, Member of the Conseil d’Administration from Turkey, presided over the Induction Ceremony. To celebrate, Laurent Perrier Champagne was served on the terrace. The Gala Dinner followed. Seated at beautifully decorated round tables and served by an efficient, very friendly service brigade who even changed our seating partway through whilst harpist Iris Kroes entertained us.

MENU

Pickled tuna with cucumber
fermented garlic, goat cheese
cold cucumber and dashi bouillon
Gruner Veltliner ‘Lossterassen’ Kremstal
Weingut Stadt Krems, Austria

Terrine of duck liver, farmer’s chicken
sauce of rhubarb, young beetroot
old Balsamic vinegar, crispy anise crackers
Vouvray Sec, Vignobles Brisebarre, Loire Valley

Scallops with Sallandse asparagus
sea lavender, ‘smoked Skinke’, verveine sauce
Louis Jadot ‘Couvent des Jacobins’ Chardonnay
Burgundy

Pigeon, cabbage, chanterelle
gravy, cumin, salted yoghurt
Nero d’Avola ‘Langusa’, Feudo Montoni, Sicily

Caramelized white chocolate, pistacho
bergamot, gravy of fresh peas, sorbet of avocado
Riesling Spätlese ‘Steinberg’
Gut Hermannsberg, Nahe, Germany

Acknowledging a beautiful dinner the kitchen and service brigades were warmly thanked. A certificate in memory of an unforgettable evening was presented to Marc van Gulick, General Manager of Lauswolt, who had been inducted as a Maître Hôtelier earlier in the evening.
 
Sunday: First stop Gevangenismuseum in Veenhuizen in Drenthe for a guided tour of a centuries-old prison. Riding in a barred bus reminded us of when this was a functioning prison. Next a champagne reception at the Michelin-starred Restaurant De Groene Lantaarn (English: The Green Lantern). Inducting Officer Mohamed Hammam conducted a mini ceremony for five members who had been unable to attend the main event on Saturday. Chef Jarno Eggen, with his brigade, prepared a delicious lunch served very professionally by a sparkling front of house team led by his partner Cindy Borger. Our appreciation was warmly conveyed. A certificate was presented to acknowledge a very special restaurant joining our Bailliage.

What a phenomenal, unforgettable weekend. The dishes, international company and the organization made for a very successful Grand Chapitre.

Vive la Chaîne!

Maarten Westerhof
Bailli of North and East Netherlands