Taste of Amsterdam – 24 to 27 June 2010

Taste of Amsterdam is part of a world-wide series of food events that celebrate fine dining in major cities. The formula is to provide visitors with an opportunity to sample small portions of the signature dishes of prestigious local restaurants. Michelin star decorated Ron Blaauw and Aan de Poel will participate amongst a group of 18 restaurants. Guests will need to buy € 15 tickets to attend the events and can then taste samples from different chefs for somewhere around € 4 to 9.

www.tasteofamsterdam.com
When: 24-27 June, 12:00 to 17:00 or 18:00 to 23:00
Where: Amstelpark on Europaboulevard near RAI exhibition center.
Public transport: Take tram or metro to RAI.

Over het IJ Festival – 1 to 11 July 2010

The Over Het IJ Festival is a theater festival on NDSM wharf in Amsterdam North, across the water behind Central Station. There is an extensive program with a focus on performances by younger talent. There also are nice food options for in between, including caterers “One for the Road” or the pancake boat. You may also enjoy a trip to neighboring Noorderlicht Cafe, spectacularly housed in a cool glass hangar and sporting a hip vibe.

www.overhetij.nl
When: 1-11 July, exact program to be decided
Where: NDSM wharf on Neveritaweg 15 across the water from Central Station
Public transport: Take the free NSDM ferry behind Central Station.

De Parade – 6 to 22 August 2010

De Parade is another theater festival with a strong food focus. The atmosphere is very much cabaret and circus, with all performances held in large tents around the main area of restaurants, bars and ticket sales. It’s a traveling festival that starts in Rotterdam mid June, moves on to The Hague and Utrecht and ends in Amsterdam from 6 to 22 August. Expect comedy, song and dance and other quirky shows such as the popular silent disco. And enjoy food and drinks from the Tacobar, wood oven pizzeria Fuoco e Desiderio or organic eatery La Rana. Tickets are € 7, excluding food, drinks and performances.

www.deparade.nl
When: 6-22 August, 15:00 to 24:00
Where: Martin Luther Kingpark on Amsteldijk between the Berlagebrug and Utrechtsbrug.
Public transport: Take tram 25 to President Kennedylaan.

So today I will leave with just a little reminder that the next Pure Markt is coming up on 25 April, as usual the last Sunday of the month.

puremarkt.nl
Park Frankendael, Amsterdam
Public transport: Tram 9 to Hogeweg, bus 65 to Pieter Zeemanlaan
Every last Sunday of the month
Dates: 28 March, 25 April, 30 May, 27 June, 29 August, 26 September, 31 October, 19 December

In 2009 I had fun at Pure Markt several times, picking up English style sausages, Dutch home-grown grapes and Canadian chocolate coated cranberries amongst other things. It’s a fun thing to do, so go check it out on Sunday if you have the time!

puremarkt.nl
Park Frankendael, Amsterdam
Public transport: Tram 9 to Hogeweg, bus 65 to Pieter Zeemanlaan
Every last Sunday of the month
Dates: 28 March, 25 April, 30 May, 27 June, 29 August, 26 September, 31 October, 19 December

There will be an exhibition as well as many workshops. The exhibition features a mix of Italian wine stores, delis, equipment vendors, book and magazine publishers, cooking schools and even food tourism operators. There will also be wine and food tastings as well as small cooking lessons, although several of the workshop already seem fully booked.

Loods 6 is a former dock that has been transformed into shopping and office building with a professional event center. It has an industrial feel to it and should be a great venue for the event.

The main event takes place in the summer in Martin Luther King park. Since it’s so popular, the organizers have added a winter edition. Winter Parade will be held in the Westergasfabriek from December 16 to 26.

The format is slightly different in the winter due to the restricted space indoors. Instead of being able to choose your shows, you will buy one ticket for general admission and all shows of the evening. Food and drink is extra and like in the summer, there is an interesting kitchen lineup including an oyster bar, a stamppot kitchen and a slow food central.

Unfortunately, the Pure Markt goes into hibernation in November and you’ll have to wait until March 2010 for the next edition. Here are a few pictures from the last edition in October to keep you interested until next year.

The Glühbier caught my eye because it was so random, but I refrained from it since lots of Glühwein will be coming my way in December.

The pork cut chart is by the Berkshire Butcher who makes amazing sausages.

And I had tried and liked the crêpes and galettes from a real French chef and his Crêpes-Mobiel before and had to go for a galette with truffles, walnuts and gruyère.

I’m not so sure about the whole inspiration mission, but there sure are a lot of chocolate themed events. For two weeks, from November 7 to 22 there will be chocolate parties, bike tours to chocolate destinations, workshop, parades and much more.

Many restaurants and bars also participate with special chocolate themed menus. For example, friendly restaurant Bloesem in the Jordaan has a four course menu that pairs scallops with a white chocolate reduction and deer with chocolate sauce. And new top restaurant Neva in the Hermitage museum has an equally ambitious menu with chocolate jelly risotto and their own version of chocolate covered deer. Not up for chocolate menus? Then why not try a chocolate liqueur at legendary distillery Wynand Fockink?

That’s a great opportunity to try and buy the home-made sausages, Delft grapes or chocolate coated cranberries that I loved at the last Pure Markt!

Amsterdam is calling itself the Capital of Taste (Dutch) and will kick off the Week of Taste with the Taste Market (Dutch) in Oosterpark on Sunday 20 September.

There are a few interesting events on the agenda:

• The market of 1001 tastes – a market with various food stalls organized on the area of the Amsterdam whole sale market on Jan van Galenstaat on Sunday 27 September.
• The taste explosion festival – September 25 – 27 in Zaandam – a cultural culinary festival with movies, workshops, celebrity chefs and more.

For a full list of all activities, see the agenda (Dutch).

There was a spectacular light that day from a bright sun behind huge stacks of clouds. And since de Kas is one of my favorite restaurants, I thought I would share two photos of de Kas I took that day.

Restaurant de Kas Amsterdam - Chimney, Greenhouse and Garden

Restaurant de Kas Amsterdam - Dining Room from Outside