Culinary Roots In the Lasloods
Standing quayside at Damen Yachting you’d be forgiven for assuming that the small island opposite, with its large industrial warehouses, was nothing more than a hub for Vlissingen’s local fishing activities. Afterall, who would suspect, that hidden within a former steel construction hall, you would find one of the area’s most unique dining experiences.
Pairing Up
Fine dining and culinary excellence are synonymous with life onboard but sometimes many of the best gastronomic adventures start a little closer to home. Dutch duo Chef Michel Louws and Event Specialist Louk Peperkamp explain why returning to your roots and pushing boundaries can lead to a whole new level of dining delight.
Challenging Expectations
For Michelin star Chef Michel Louws this industrial, bold setting delivers exactly what he is looking for to push people out of their comfort zone when it comes to expectations with cuisine. For him and his wife Marianne van Ombergen, the Lasloods becomes their home and kitchen for the summer months. A pop-up restaurant like no other where they can challenge their guests and Michel’s chef skills, by serving a twelve-course tasting menu, using only the best, locally sourced, seasonal products.
Michel:
“We came up with the concept here, basically to put into practice what we want to eat and how we like to eat. The essence of it is all about sharing the food with the people you love. One of my dishes popular amongst the locals here is cured beetroot, smoked eel and apple, which is very well liked, the people of Zeeland know smoked eel. But ultimately It’s the experience we want you to take away. We want you to remember it.”
Louk:
“We are one of the few in Zeeland that transform these kinds of places into unique locations. I grew up in Vlissingen, I am proud to work here. I’ve been organising events in abandoned warehouses at former shipyards and monumental factory spaces for more than twelve years. We’ve seen everything from dance parties to conferences to the ultimate dining experience.”
Inspired Ingredients
The location alone is prime for any chef looking for the best in local ingredients. Zeeland is known worldwide for its high standard of local produce, specifically shell fish and seafood, but for Michel the inspiration runs deeper still.
Michel:
“Inspiration can come anytime, anywhere. Often just while being outdoors, seeing vegetables growing, it triggers me creatively. But there is more to it. We try to source products that are not harmful to the environment. I would like to do more with vegetables, with sustainable produce rather than always fish or meat. That works here at Lasloods, guests react very positively to our vegetable dishes.”
Michel:
“When I first arrived in New Zealand it was basically stepping back 20-25 years from a culinary point of view. It’s caught up in the last ten years but it’s challenged me as a chef. Made me think and work differently and that makes what I bring to the Lasloods dining experience so unique. The location only serves to enhance that.”
Root Cause
Whilst the Lasloods isn’t necessarily the expected choice for a gastronomic adventure setting, it’s easy to see how for Michel and Louk, such a venue reflects the passion both have in being drawn back to their roots – be it geographically or instinctively. They paired up after a set of coincidences which led to Michel moving to New Zealand only to later discover a work passion and opportunity back in the Netherlands whilst on holiday there.
Louk:
“We started off with seven weeks of this new pop-up concept and now we are at 14 weeks. The events doubled in size as well, and the positive reactions make it all worthwhile.”
Local Life
For Damen Yachting the Lasloods is not just a neighbour across the water. It has been the home to many milestone celebrations throughout the years making it an important location for the team, the crew, our clients and even launch parties. A connection that dates back years and one that celebrates a shared passion for embracing locality.
Louk:
“We source everything locally and our team is from Zeeland as well. Staying loyal to our heritage works both ways. Many companies in the region organise their business events with us. Like Damen Yachting. Having a neighbour who likes to throw those kind of parties is really cool!”