Top chef Soenil Bahadoer is quitting his two-star restaurant De Lindehof in Nuenen after 30 years. The chef will close his doors on May 1 because he wants to do something new. He tells De Telegraaf that he has big plans ‘with which I will surprise everyone at home and even abroad’. The star chef does not want to reveal exactly what that is yet.
The owner also does not want to let us know why exactly he is going to stop. “Unfortunately, I can’t say anything about it yet, but it won’t be long before I can be open about things. The first step I have to take now is to quit De Lindehof,” he tells De Telegraaf.
Bahadoer will send a letter to all regular guests on Friday to inform them of his decision. And that’s not exactly easy for him. “I obviously do this with pain in my heart. After all, I gave everything to this restaurant, it was and is my life. But where doors close, others open again,” he says.
“Like no other, he integrates spices, herbs and ingredients into a harmonious and unique whole.”
Bahadoer opened De Lindehof thirty years ago. He cooked passionately for years and in 2004 the restaurant received its first star. The chef himself has a Surinamese background and that is why he decided to combine Surinamese-Hindustani cuisine with French-Dutch cuisine. “And that caught on, in 2014 we received our second star.”
In 2019, Bahadoer was also crowned ‘Chef of the Year’ by restaurant guide GuiltMillau. The jury praised his efforts for De Lindehof. “A chef who has been operating in the highest regions for years. Like no other, he integrates spices, herbs and ingredients into a harmonious and unique whole. Credit where credit is due.”
Although things did not always go well for Bahadoer. Until nine years ago, he owned De Lindehof together with his ex-wife. Bahadoer had 75 percent of the shares and his ex the rest. The two were unable to divide the assets and this led to years of struggle.
“My new adventure will certainly have a Surinamese touch.”
Bahadoer’s ex posted all kinds of hate messages on social media. At the end of 2023, there was even a lawsuit in which the judge ruled that Bahadoer’s ex was no longer allowed to post negative messages on Facebook. She also had to delete messages that had already been posted and a video that was on YouTube. Bahadoer demanded a restraining order, but his ex-wife did not get one.
De Lindehof will close as of May 1. Bahadoer will soon announce what he will do next. “One thing is clear: my new adventure will certainly have a Surinamese touch.”
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