Bourgondic Johnny



John Gerdsen

This week’s blog will take us to another part of the world as we discuss yet another chef from the program ‘Grenzeloos Koken’. John Gerdsen is the chef I’m talking about, and he can be described as someone who really enjoys life. John’s life motto is “I make something out of nothing", and that also goes for cooking. When you work with good products, even with the simplest of ingredients, you can make something really tasty. The French classical cuisine fits him like a glove as consuming these dishes is a part of his lifestyle; his most vivid memory is at the French Riviera, eating large plates of Fruits de Mer which eventually became one of his signature dishes.

Furthermore, besides his culinary knowledge and skills, his inspiring enthusiasm for presenting cooking shows is a real asset to 24kitchen. Chef John is in fact also very humorous, as before he starts cooking he puts on his headband; hygienic, but also hilarious especially since every time he says: "Now Johnny is quickly going to put on his headband." Moreover, I like the way in which he ties the program together with his semi-sarcastic, but characteristic remarks like: “How good does this look” and “How richly can a man live”. At the end of his program he announces that his headband can go off again, whips his hair loose and presents the dish to his viewers.

The Free Range Cook

Annabel Langbein in The Free Range Cook

From the Australian Donna Hay, we are moving on to discuss yet another non-Dutch chef on 24kitchen, Annabel Langbein. Situated in New Zealand, Annabel presents The Free Range Cook; here she goes in search of delicious, fresh ingredients in the surrounding environment of her house at the foot of the New Zealand Alps. Against the spectacular backgrounds of the beautiful landscape, Annabel shows us how she uses these ingredients to prepare delightful dishes with little effort.

Annabel is a cheerful lady and knows how to make something yummy out of anything. The beautiful surroundings and her positive attitude are the perfect combination for a unique cooking show. Sometimes I get annoyed by her accent (she lisps a little) and cheesy stories. Nonetheless, The Free Range Cook has a high entertainment value and her recipes are also good to recreate. Since she varies well between easy and more difficult dishes, the show provides something for everyone. After a day on the road searching for fresh ingredients, Annabel pops into the kitchen and invites her friends over. Together they feast on her tasty dishes; I guess life is good in New Zealand!

Donna's way



Donna Hay in Fast, Fresh, Simple

Donna Hay, an Australian chef who is world-famous for several bestsellers, is the star of this week’s blog. In "Fast, Fresh, Simple" she shows us her tips and tricks, to help us prepare meals which taste just as good as they look. Donna’s recipes are perfect for people who like to cook, but not too complicated. Often Donna uses a trick to speed up the preparation; this is ideal if you have little time, but still want to serve something tasty. Furthermore, her recipes are descent (just like herself) and because she often makes oven dishes, you can prepare the food well in advance.

In my opinion the program Fast, Fresh, Simple is particularly intended for independent women with busy lives, who still want to cook something healthy and enjoyable. Personally, I have got more affection for Rudolph van Veen (or any of the other chefs I like). Donna means well, nonetheless her attitude and the way she presents just don’t appeal to me. Moreover, I think she needs to spice things up a bit and use a little more humour. Regardless of her delicious recipes and creations, I’d rather watch any of 24kitchen’s other chefs.

Double the pleasure..



Nadia Zerouali & MerijnTol

In this blog I will be reviewing another segment of ‘Grenzeloos Koken’. This week the journey takes us to North Africa where we will have a look in the Arabic kitchen. However, unlike other shows there will not be one, but two chefs doing the honours. The more, the merrier you would say... Nadia Zerouali and Merijn Tol share a passion for the Arabic kitchen and try to convey this on 24kitchen. Nevertheless, when these ladies cook together they even take turns stirring the same pot. This causes great confusion, not only on my part me but also to themselves.

Grenzeloos Koken

Numerous times they ask each other if it’s their turn to flip the meat or whether a certain ingredient is already added, followed by a little chat concluding how well they are cooking together. Sometimes it even comes to a narrow escape; when one of the two wants to add salt to an already seasoned dish and is stopped at the very last second. The Arabic meals they create will undoubtedly be delicious, but these two chatterboxes cannot tempt me to start cooking myself.