Chefs and Cellars by Dutch Wine Apprentice

Dutch Wine Apprentice

Chefs & Cellars -By Dutch Wine Apprentice Chefs & Cellars brings you exclusive interviews with leading Restaurants in the Netherlands. In this podcast we take you behind the scenes with some of the most renowned chefs, restaurateurs, and sommeliers in the Netherlands. These culinary experts don’t just craft extraordinary dishes; they also have a deep appreciation for fine wine. We’ll explore their favorite bottles, unique dining experiences, and the secrets behind their wine lists and kitchens. Join us, and learn from the best in the world of fine dining and wine!

Episodes

  1. Chefs & Cellars S02E03 - Restaurant Roux

    May 21

    Chefs & Cellars S02E03 - Restaurant Roux

    In this episode of Chefs & Cellars, we travel to the heart of Amsterdam’s Jordaan to visit Restaurant Roux, where we sit down with co-owners Allon Niesen and Roos Bierhoff. Roux has quickly established itself as one of the city’s most exciting dining destinations — combining creative French-inspiredcuisine, a serious wine program, and an atmosphere built around warmth, comfort, and accessibility. We explore how Allon and Roos first met while working together in hospitality, and how a professional partnership evolved into both friendship and a shared vision for opening their own restaurant. Their concept was clear from the beginning: create a place they themselves would want to return to regularly — one where high quality does not come at the expense of comfort or flexibility. A major part of that philosophy is Roux’s decision to work entirely à la carte, allowing guests to shape their own dining experience without the structure of fixed tasting menus. During the conversation, we discuss how dining culture is changing, why guests increasingly value freedom and accessibility, and how Roux has positioned itself within Amsterdam’s ever-evolving restaurant scene. In the kitchen, chefs Sebastiano Guglielmucci and Teun Daemen build on classical French foundations while embracing creativity and unexpected flavour combinations. Dishes such as squid “tagliatelle” carbonara, cod with ginger beurre blanc, and fermented carrot with burnt chocolate showcase a style of cooking that balances technical precision with playful originality. Wine plays an equally important role at Roux. With more than 350 references and a cellar holding thousands of bottles, Allon has created a list rooted in Burgundy, Champagne, and Germany, while also embracing lesser-known regions and Dutch producers such as Apostelhoeve. We also discuss the challenges of building a wine list in Amsterdam, working with allocations, and the philosophy behind making great wine accessible across different price points. You can discover more about Restaurant Roux in the full article and lunch review on our website, featuring the dishes and wine pairings we enjoyed during our visit. Join us as we uncover how Roux blends modern hospitality, creative cuisine, and a deeply personal approach to wine into an experience that feels both contemporary and genuinely welcoming.

    59 min
  2. Chefs & Cellars S02E02 - Restaurant Het Koetshuis

    Jan 9

    Chefs & Cellars S02E02 - Restaurant Het Koetshuis

    In this episode of Chefs & Cellars, we head into the forests of Bennekom to visit Restaurant Het Koetshuis, where we sit down with second-generation host and passionate wine lover Danny. For decades, this culinary institute has been a hidden gem in the Veluwe, offering guests tranquillity, classic craftsmanship and a profound respect for tradition — both on the plate and in the glass. We explore how Danny’s parents took over the property in the mid-eighties and rebuilt it into the restaurant it is today, complete with an underground cellar, expansive terrace and a loyal following that now spans generations. From stories about the early days — when a Michelin star arrived entirely by surprise — to childhood memories of growing up between the kitchen and the dining room, the conversation reveals how heritage continues to shape the Koetshuis identity. In the kitchen, classic French technique remains the backbone. Sweetbreads with Dutch asparagus, grilled turbot with beurre blanc, and long-standing signatures like carpaccio are revisited season after season, always with subtle contemporary touches. Danny explains why simplicity is often the hardest discipline, and how the restaurant evolves its classics without losing their soul. Wine is where Het Koetshuis truly distinguishes itself. We taste a rare Bourgogne Rouge “La Croix Blanche” 2023 by cult producer Charles Lachaux — served by the glass — while discussing Danny’s philosophy of making great wines accessible without requiring guests to commit to full bottles. From Burgundy and Champagne to a deeply personal connection with Château Giscours, the cellar reflects both curiosity and legacy, shaped by years of travel, tastings and a desire to share memorable bottles. You can discover more about Het Koetshuis in the review on our website, featuring the wonderful lunch we enjoyed during our visit.

    1h 13m

About

Chefs & Cellars -By Dutch Wine Apprentice Chefs & Cellars brings you exclusive interviews with leading Restaurants in the Netherlands. In this podcast we take you behind the scenes with some of the most renowned chefs, restaurateurs, and sommeliers in the Netherlands. These culinary experts don’t just craft extraordinary dishes; they also have a deep appreciation for fine wine. We’ll explore their favorite bottles, unique dining experiences, and the secrets behind their wine lists and kitchens. Join us, and learn from the best in the world of fine dining and wine!