Star chef Soenil Bahadoer will soon take a new step to realize his gastronomic dream. He opens a new restaurant in the atmospheric castle of Gemert. The eatery with the name Gem will be in the historic gatehouse of Kasteel. Gem means jewel in English.
“It is not an April 1 joke, because it must be ready here in a month,” says Soenil laughing as he shows through part of the gatehouse between the construction workers. “Here is one to the left of the gate private dining-part with its own kitchen and on the other hand the restaurant. ”
With another month to go, there is plenty of painting, there still have to be plastered and there are still piles of insulation material. “This will be the hidden jewel of the castle, a beautiful restaurant.” After thirty years, Soenil will stop on 1 May with the Lindehof in Nuenen and it is time for new adventures.
“With Soenil, Restaurant Gem can grow into a gastronomic location of world format.”
Project developer Bas van de Laar, a friend of Soenil Bahadoer, bought the castle in 2017. “Together we have been busy for the past six years to work out the plans for the restaurant and a luxury hotel,” says Soenil.
“Restaurant Gem is the first part of the plan that is taken into use. The hotel must be ready in the summer of 2026. It will be very luxurious, with seventy rooms and suites, a Spa Wellness-BeautyCenter and meeting and event rooms. Similar to the Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam,” says Bas.
“With Soenil I have the certainty that restaurant Gem can grow into a gastronomic location of world format.” The Five Star Hotel will be called Gemert Eindhoven Castle.
“You will see the picturesque location of the castle on your plate when you sit here at the table.”
“In the kitchen I am also inspired by the history of the building,” says Soenil. “Just outside the castle comes a vegetable garden with forgotten Dutch primeval vegetables, flowers and plants such as the cardoon and the Topinamboer. And I will also use them in the restaurant. You will also see the picturesque location of the castle on your plate when you sit at the table here.”
With the cooking and the experience of the location, Soenil wants to take a new step in his career. The luxurious eatery gets forty to fifty seats.
Gemert Castle
The history of the castle goes back to 1391, when it was inhabited by the knights of a German order. After centuries all kinds of noblemen lived in the castle, involved in 1916 the fathers and brothers of the congregation of the Holy Spirit the monumental castle. In 2017, the Congregation sold the building to project developer Bas van de Laar.