On Wednesday 6th of October 2010 we were about to prepare ourselves for a new challenge and adventure at the Van Gogh museum. We were asked to serve a special dinner for 160 guests between the paintings of Van Gogh.

After we arrived at the museum they explained us the rules of this exquisite venue because serving dinner here, like we do, is highly unusual. Having great colleagues like Pasquinel Kolk and Jeroen Taillie, we prepared an unforgettable dinner.

The first guests arrived at 6.45 PM. To start off festively, guests could enjoy and look at the paintings with a glass of Champagne and an amuse. When the guests walked into the dining area you see their astonished faces; dining between the paintings of Van Gogh and the beautiful flowers of Menno Kroon.

Next to admiring the paintings they could also enjoy a wonderful dinner. The entrée was a lobster prepared in three different ways, the main course was a lovely piece of veil, mushrooms and lentils, and as a closure we served a golden box with piña colada, panna cotta and a magnum of white chocolate and yuzu-juice.

It was an honour to participate in this event and we all thought it was a great experience for the entire team. It was the first time Hotel Okura Amsterdam organised this event at the Van Gogh museum.

We hope everyone enjoyed this extraordinary event like we did!

With culinary greetings,

Onno Kokmeijer
Executive Chef & Manager Ciel Bleu restaurant