So. As we said in the show, one of the things we wanted to do this week on the show was to treat our listeners to a nice meal… at one of the best restaurants in town. The choice was easy - de Kas.
As you might have guessed from the photo above, “kas” is the Dutch word for greenhouse, and, not surprisingly, that’s exactly where this restaurant is. This green house also happens to be the source of a whole lot of the food served at the restaurant. Or, well, kinda. There are also gardens and greenhouses just outside Amsterdam - ok, it’s not on-site, but at least the food doesn’t travel millions of miles before it’s on your plate. I grabbed a buddy (Marnie Chesterton, host of our sister show Earthbeat) and met with Executive Chef & Manager Ronald Kunis to take a tour of the greenhouse.
Ronald Kunis uncovers a table of young plants for us to see...
Snow peas (I think... or were they snap peas?) growing in the greenhouse. They taste as sweet and green as they look!
While we were outside, we came across a few of the kitchen staff topping radishes - what a nice way to work, sitting outside in the sunshine! Of course, working in a greenhouse, even when you’re inside you get the sun! Ronald was proud to point out that they try to work in a respectful way towards the earth… but also towards each other. So if there’s lots of work in the kitchen and not so much gardening, the gardening guys come and help out. Or the other way around. And, since the kitchen is open, chefs have to learn to communicate respectfully - no Hell’s Kitchen here!
Of course, after touring a restaurant and its gardens, we were hoping for a little taste… and were presented with this cold beet salad - pretty as a picture and tasty too.
Now, I have to admit, even though I’m salivating as I write this, I haven’t been back for a full meal - even though Ronald points out that it’s good value for the money (and since they’re booked every night I guess I can’t argue!), at 50 euros per person (that’s 3 courses but no drinks), it’s still a bit steep for this radio producer. Until I can think of a really good reason to splash out (hmm, my birthday IS coming up…), I’ll have to be content with my salad… and so will you!
Listen to my interview with Ronald here.
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