Most restaurants are no longer available for tables this Christmas. The Michelin-starred restaurant Sense in Den Bosch is also packed during the holidays and that is extra special for owner Dennis Middeldorp (45). Because his business was declared bankrupt a few months ago. “We have suffered damage to our image as a result, but I am glad that it has not stopped our guests from celebrating Christmas with us.”
In the kitchen, the owner of the only star restaurant in Den Bosch is busy preparing for the holidays. Almost all tables in his restaurant are now fully booked on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. “Normally I start with the Christmas menu in June, but I only made this in October. Because before then I didn’t even know if my restaurant would still exist,” says Dennis.
The native of Den Bosch, who founded Sense in 2008, received a Michelin star for the twelfth time this year. Dennis has been working with the holidays for years, but the 45-year-old owner would not have imagined that he would receive more than two hundred guests this year as well. Because his restaurant went bankrupt in September this year.
“It had been going badly financially for a long time, but I didn’t realize how unhealthy my company was. Due to the corona pandemic and price increases, I could no longer pay my bills. It was with pain in my heart that I made that choice,” says the catering entrepreneur.
“I want to offer guests something extra during Christmas.”
Dennis managed to make a new start together with an investor. And so, as usual, he serves a special six-course dinner during the holidays. The menu includes many luxury products such as truffle, lobster, caviar and deer.
“Especially after this unpleasant period, I want to offer my guests something extra during Christmas and some expect that too. Because the products are more expensive, I, like many restaurants, charge a higher price. Unfortunately, Christmas is not a big deal, because we do not make any extra profit from it.”
That is precisely why almost 40 percent of catering establishments remain closed during the holidays. This is evident from recent research by Royal Horeca Netherlands. “I understand that, but luckily we do well every year at Christmas. And in order not to make the price too high, I choose to combine the luxury products with normal ingredients such as potatoes, pasta or vegetables.”
“It’s just running, flying and stressing again.”
Christmas is almost the same as before for Dennis. “It’s just running, flying and stressing again. Before you know it, the days are over,” he says. But unlike other years, Sense remains closed on Christmas Eve. “Due to mandatory wage increases, I employ fewer staff. They all work two days and I also wanted to give them a day off during the holidays.”
That’s why guests can pick up an ‘easy Christmas dinner’ from the star restaurant on Christmas Eve. “You don’t have to be a star chef. Guests only have to heat up meals, such as soup or stew, in the microwave.”
Because his restaurant is closed, Dennis has been able to spend Christmas Eve with his family for years. “At such moments I especially want to enjoy and reflect on what my wife and I have achieved together over the past year.”
