Stefan's Gourmet Blog

14/06/2026

Discover Bij Jef, Texel's Michelin-starred restaurant, where exceptional local cuisine meets superb wine pairings for an unforgettable fine dining experience.

08/06/2026

with and
Recipe on my blog, link in bio

08/06/2026

Learn how to make a quick and savory pasta featuring the perfect combination of flavorful Italian sausage, crunchy escarole, and briny Taggiasca olives.

30/05/2026

Behind the Scenes: My Food Blogging, Photography, and Video Journey

When I launched this blog back in 2011, my goals were simple: I wanted to share my passion for food and wine with you. I had absolutely zero interest in photography or photo editing. However, I quickly ran into a fundamental digital problem—you can’t taste or smell my food through a screen. To bring you quality content, the visual aspect had to become a priority....

Discover how I evolved my blog from 2011 vacation camera snaps to GoPro cooking, and how my new Naturalite LED ceiling panels created the ultimate lighting.

30/05/2026

with and

200 grams pasta
450 grams spinach
200 grams ricotta
50 grams parmigiano
salt, pepper, freshly grated nutmeg

27/05/2026

Discover the art of making homemade potato gnocchi paired with garden peas, zucchini, and ricotta for a fresh, seasonal delight. Recipe on the blog.

Discover the art of making homemade potato gnocchi paired with garden peas, zucchini, and ricotta for a fresh, seasonal delight.

16/05/2026

Dining in the Netherlands: Merlet*

Restaurant Merlet, located in the dune-swept coastal village of Schoorl about an hour north of Amsterdam, has held a Michelin star since 1998. Despite its reputation, I had never visited before, largely because Amsterdam’s vast culinary scene is so easily accessible by public transport, which is a crucial factor when you want to fully enjoy wine pairings. That changed last autumn while I was taking WSET3 classes to qualify for the WSET4 Diploma Course in Wine....

Review of the Michelin-starred Restaurant Merlet in Schoorl, focusing on an outstanding premium wine pairing that makes it a true paradise for wine lovers.

16/05/2026

Final installment of my report of the VVN wine tour in Italy. Discover the wines and culinary treasures of Le Marche in Italy, from Verdicchio di Matelica to traditional Stoccafisso and iconic estates like Villa Bucci, Sartarelli, and Umani Ronchi.

Discover the wines and culinary treasures of Le Marche in Italy, from Verdicchio di Matelica to traditional Stoccafisso and iconic estates like Villa Bucci.

14/05/2026

Report of our tour of the top wine producers of Romagna in Italy. A journey through the vineyards with a focus on Albana and the subzones for Sangiovese.

Explore the top wine producers and traditional cuisine of Romagna. A journey through the vineyards with a focus on Albana and the subzones for Sangiovese.

08/05/2026

Read about the VVN wine tour to Emilia-Romagna. Explore sparkling and still Pignoletto wines from Emilia-Romagna and the Colli Bolognesi. Learn about the DOC(G) changes and a tasting of different styles.

Explore sparkling and still Pignoletto wines from Emilia-Romagna and the Colli Bolognesi. Learn about the DOC(G) changes and a tasting of different styles.