My food and drinks column for the April issue of Reader’s Digest While it’s true that every season brings its own bounty, the colours and flavours of springtime always fill me with the most inspiration. There’s nothing quite as uplifting as indulging in a leisurely early morning stroll through the farmers’ market right around the beginning of April, when the stalls are piled high with everything from fluorescent pink rhubarb to bunches of dewy, vibrant green watercress. For me, spotting the season’s first asparagus in all its pristine splendour is always a reason to celebrate with a fine bottl ..read more

PUBLISHED IN GLOBAL DRINKS INTEL Amsterdam’s beverage landscape may still be predominantly associated with its centuries-old beer culture and historic brown cafés (cosy pubs with tobacco-stained walls and wood-clad interiors), but these days, the Dutch capital is seeing a surge in high-end bars that cater to clients who don’t mind spending big on a top-notch experience. Especially in the last decade or so, the city has witnessed a significant transformation with exciting new wine and cocktail bars opening their doors, putting it on par with cities like London, Paris and New York. The craft be ..read more

My food and drinks column for the March issue of Reader’s Digest It’s been 20 years since a cookbook changed my life. Before devouring every page (and nearly every recipe) in Nigella Lawson’s Feast (2004), I didn’t give much thought to what I ate. Or perhaps I did, but not in a way that excited me. Food was sustenance and cooking a chore I wasn’t particularly good at. Moreover, fear of excess calories and not being able to fit into my jeans left little room for indulging in things like “old-fashioned chocolate cake”, “penne alla vodka” and “love buns”. Nigella transformed my relationship with ..read more

My food and drinks column for the January issue of Reader’s Digest While dining at a hip ‘n’ happening plant-based restaurant in Norway a few years ago, I was deliciously captivated by the gastronomic prowess of the young, bright chef who had managed to make the place a huge success in the few short months since its opening. Every dish delighted the senses with an unsurpassable level of creativity, and as each course progressed, I became ever more smitten. Especially when this culinary wunderkind placed before me a dish consisting of a small wedge of blue cheese crowning a delicate chocolate b ..read more

Visit to the H&T Innovation Summit, Málaga The bustling city of Málaga, Spain, recently played host to one of the most anticipated events in the hospitality, hotel and tourism sectors – the H&T Innovation Summit. Held from February 5th to 7th at the FYCMA (Trade Fairs and Congress Center of Málaga), this year marked the 26th edition of the summit, drawing attention from international professionals across the industry. As one of a group of six journalists, I had the privilege of attending this prestigious event, graciously invited by the Málaga Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with ..read more

My food and drinks column for the January issue of Reader’s Digest After hosting the most eagerly anticipated dinners and cocktail parties of the year, I’m certainly up for a more informal gathering with friends and family come New Year’s Eve. For me, the evening of December 31st should be a casual culmination to what can sometimes be a demanding month. So, rather than striving to spoil my guests with another perfectly orchestrated feast, I find solace in the ease of the potluck and ask them to bring a favourite dish instead. The drinks are on me. My only concern is that the offerings are both ..read more

My food and drinks column for the December issue of Reader’s Digest We all know how potentially daunting holiday entertaining can be. Combine high expectations with a desire for perfectionism, add a dollop of relatives who all seem to have different dietary restrictions, finish with a dash of stressing over which drinks to serve, and you’ve cooked yourself up a recipe that’s everything but jolly. Fear not, however. When in doubt about how to gracefully host a gathering come the month of December, nothing will prove as satisfying and stress-free as inviting friends and family over for a casual ..read more

My wine column, published in the winter 2023 issue of Inside Rotterdam I’ve never been one to be persuaded by wine labels. Clever as some of these branding aesthetics may be, I think it’s fair to say that by now, we all know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. And yet wineries continue implementing the most astute marketing tactics, hoping to spark our interest enough to grab their bottles off the shelf.  Admittedly, when I came across the Two Hands Wines’ Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon, I was intrigued, albeit somewhat apprehensively. Perhaps even ‘seduced’ would be a better word. Not ..read more

My food and drinks column for the October issue of Reader’s Digest I was once again reminded of the potato’s numerous culinary virtues this past summer when I discovered a seemingly simple dish at one of the market stalls in the Provencal town of Vaison-la-Romaine. Next to a selection of cooked vegetables, I spotted what looked like röstis, the traditional Swiss pancakes made with grated potatoes and often served with eggs, cheese and other hearty toppings. These palm-sized patties, however, called “criques” and hailing from the Ardèche, needed no embellishments, I was assured by the vendor. I ..read more

Wine discoveries in Italy with Cantina Vignaioli del Morellino di Scansano Early last October, I paid a whirlwind visit to Maremma in southern Tuscany, where I spent two short but packed and informative days getting acquainted with the wines of Cantina Vignaioli del Morellino di Scansano and discovering what the region has to offer in terms of landscape and gustatory pleasures. And let me tell you – there’s plenty to merit a trip! Follow me along for some of the most memorable highlights of this Italian wine discovery. Day 1 After a pleasant flight from Amsterdam to Rome, we embark on the two ..read more