Chef Wouter Verheijen

How did you get started as a chef?
"First I followed and completed a study HBO Technical Business Administration, during my internships I found out that this was not what I was going to be happy with. At the age of 25 I started cooking. This was and is my biggest hobby. After my studies I therefore returned to Venlo and started cooking at restaurant La Mangerie. At the time, they had a BIB. At the same time, I followed the cook's training. After I had worked there for 2 years and had obtained my cook's diploma, I wanted to gain more experience at a high level. I then moved to the suburbs to work in various starred restaurants. I worked in Amsterdam at Ron Blauw*, in Loenen aan de Vecht at 't Amsterdammertje*, in Harderwijk at 't Nonnetje** and in Haarlem at restaurant Fris (BIB). There I gained a lot of experience at a high level."

What was it like working at the top level?
"During my training I met a very fine chef. He cooked in a restaurant in Harderwijk that had 1 Michelin star at the time. Because I wanted to experience working at that level, I moved to Harderwijk. When I was working there for 3 months, we got a second Michelin star and suddenly we were among the best 15 restaurants in the Netherlands. Super cool! Of course we celebrated the success together that day. Not only did we get a lot of media attention, the reservations also flooded in. That afternoon we were suddenly booked up six months in advance. Suddenly you have guests who come especially for that second star. A few days later I was sitting at the table of Belgian guests. The week after the Michelin stars were awarded, they visited all the new 2-star establishments. It's very special!

Why do you like working at Cabillaud?
"Cabillaud is one of the most beautiful places in Venlo. The view over the river Maas and the Old Market and the fantastic entourage make it a wonderful place to receive guests. Guests really feel like they are away for an evening, almost on holiday. If you can then express your ideas and prepare and serve your dishes to guests, that's great. Especially if those guests appreciate it too with the beautiful reviews they write."

How do you come up with new dishes and what makes them so delicious?
"I come up with new dishes by asking myself what I like and what I would like to eat in a restaurant. I think that my style of cooking is also characterised by freshness, so the use of acids, no classic heavy butter sauces but rather easily digestible dishes. I don't want people to have to leave the table after five courses, but I do want them to have a nice feeling of fullness."

Is there an ingredient you use often?
"I don't have a specific ingredient that I use all the time but I do love working with lemon and lime. The zest, juice and combination of these are fantastic acids. In the right amount it just works very refreshing and invigorating. I like to use that in dishes."

Want to know more about Chef Wouter? Read the full article in the Maaspoort Magazine, which is available for free in De Maaspoort!

Reviews

Few words about it,Just the best restaurant in the city of Venlo
Marcel L.
In one word: delicious. We will definitely come back again.The chef surprised us with beautiful combinations of flavors. Refined... and precisely balanced.read more
Cynthia Bergen H.
Sehr zu empfehlen das Ambiente bietet einen wundervollen Blick über die Maas, gerade im Sonnenuntergang Sehr zu... empfehlenread more
Ulrich R.
The Restaurant is just amazing!Fantastic food for an unbelievable price! Especially the menu is unbelievably good! We... will always come back!read more
beatface09
Wow wow wow wow!Wir hatten das DREI GÄNGE MENÜ für 48,00€ und es war eine Traum! Was für eine großartige Qualität. Sehr... zu empfehlen und wir kommen wiederread more
Sophie
Had delicious menu with nice wine. Food was from a top chef
Koos B.
Delightful, enthusiastic young top team🤩
Jose B.
Enjoyed a delicious dinner. The dessert really stood out as far as I was concerned. Ice cream made from gin tonic,... Nice atmosphere, friendly service. Great evening.read more
Sjors D.
Beautiful dishes, composed with care and delicious in taste.We enjoyed !
Angelique B.
Senationelles Essen, jeder Gang mit passender Weinbegleitung ein Genuss. Lokal auch sehr cool mit grosser, offener... Küche. Service auch sehr gut.Das Essen hat für mich das Niveu von einem Michelin-Stern. Haben einen schönen Abend dort verbracht!read more
Andre K.
Das war zunächst eine Überraschung, ein solches Restaurant hatte ich in Venlo nicht erwartet, warum auch immer. Es... entdeckt zu haben war denn aber ein richtiges Highlight. Das Ambiente, der Service und insbesondere das Essen waren begeisternd. Wir kommen wieder, versprochen.......read more
Norbert J.
had a lovely dinner tonight in this cozy peaceful setting.The 3 course dinner was besides a delight to the... eye . also delicious , surprising , in terms of taste.The hospitality of the staff provided an important part in the experience of this culinary evening.To be repeated!read more
Mariette Gaal - van D.
Truly delicious food. From the appetizers and amuse bouche to the 3-course dinner, everything was pure and very... tasty and on top of that also a peak service. Highly recommended!read more
M. H.
Top! Excellent, with passionA wonderful evening, thank you
Peter van D.
Delicious food. Knowledgeable service. Chef at table had finished it off.
Thijs van de V.
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