In August, another edition of food festival Chefs in the Forest takes place where ten Michelin-starred chefs will cook in the Amsterdam Forest. From the first bite to the last note, there will be a relaxed, almost magical atmosphere. Visitors stroll past several ‘restaurants in the forest,’ each with its own signature and vision. No fixed tables or rigid menu here, but freedom: eat at your own pace, standing, sitting on a tree trunk or together at a long picnic table. Compose your own courses and taste a masterpiece from each chef.
Each chef presents three to five dishes, including one or two exclusive limited-edition signature dishes. Dishes start from €11.50, making fine dining accessible without compromising on quality. In the process, a wide range of wines will be served: from accessible glasses to rare cellar treasures for the true aficionado.
What makes this festival truly special is the fusion of gastronomy and sustainability. In the summer setting, top chefs and culinary enthusiasts come together to look ahead. What does the future taste like? How will we be cooking in 2050? With innovative techniques, local ingredients and respect for the planet, the chefs give their own answers to those questions.
Chefs in the Forest is thus more than a festival - it is a stage for the future of fine dining. Here people experiment, inspire and share. Live cooking in the open air, in the middle of nature, shows that sophistication and simplicity go hand in hand.
Last year's guests included Richard van Oostenbrugge (Restaurant 212**), Tim Golsteijn (Bougainville*), Dennis Huwaë (Daalder*), Thomas Groot (Bistro de la Mer*) and the chefs of De Basiliek, Joelia* and Kromme Watergang*. Who will be at the fire this year will be announced soon.
And then the music. Jazz is the heartbeat of the event. From sultry saxophones as the forest awakens to intimate piano sounds during dinner and swinging rhythms in the evening sun. Top artists, normally found on large stages, perform their music here among the trees. Each performance fits seamlessly with the time of day and the dishes being served.
Check out our list of tastiest food festivals this spring and summer in Amsterdam.