Inside Okura - January 2013


News

Although 2013 is no more than three weeks old, it already promises to be a year to remember. Not only do many of the world famous institutes of the city of Amsterdam celebrate unique milestones, it is a special year for Hotel Okura Amsterdam too: as from January 1st 2013, Emmy J. Stoel is appointed General Manager of the hotel.

Perfect timing

The timing of the management changes couldn’t be better since the entire hotel just finished a major, year-long renovation in which no stone was left unturned. Having worked at the hotel for many years already, Emmy Stoel knows the Okura like the back of her hand. She was very committed to the renovation works at the hotel; transforming all standard rooms into superior rooms, introducing a new restaurant concept at Serre Restaurant – Inspired by Ciel Bleu and the latest opening of Nagomi Spa & Health are just a few of the renovations Emmy Stoel was involved in.

Being completely in charge, she now has the chance to maintain and expand the status of Hotel Okura Amsterdam as the finest and most complete five-star hotel in Amsterdam.

Changes

Emmy Stoel worked at Hotel Okura Amsterdam from 1991 until 2000, before continuing her international career in Belgium, Austria and Germany. In 2008 she returned to the Okura as Deputy General Manager. She now succeeds Marcel van Aelst, who will remain President and Statutory Director of the hotel: “Since I asked her to come back to Hotel Okura Amsterdam in 2008 I have worked closely with Emmy Stoel. I am confident that she is the right person, at the right time and in the right place. We now have a fully renovated hotel and a very motivated team that is ready to take on the challenges of the future to secure its continued success.”


F&B update

Nowadays, many people are familiar with the customs of teppanyaki; the Japanese art of cooking at a hot griddle in front of guests. Over the last ten years, teppanyaki restaurants have gained enormously in popularity and the number of teppanyaki restaurants has increased steadily. Where does this widely spread cooking style originate from? How did the principle of sharing your table with other guests find its way to culinary acknowledgement by many?

From shovels to grill plates

‘Teppanyaki’ literally means ‘grilled on an iron plate’ (teppan = iron plate, yaki = grill). In Japan this is probably the oldest method of preparing food, invented when the Japanese grilled their fish on a shovel above an open fire. Slowly, this evolved into the sophisticated teppan grill that we know today. Teppanyaki may therefore not be authentic, but it is definitely a time-honoured tradition; one that started in the port of Kobe. In 1945 the first teppanyaki restaurant was opened by a chef who wanted to attract a non-oriental clientele. Meat was key, he felt, because Western people like to eat meat, while the traditional Japanese kitchen is more about fish. He was right; the restaurant became a big success in Kobe. Although it was inspired by Western habits, there were a lot of Japanese elements in it, most prominently the way of cooking – on a hot plate, surrounded by guests.

This is a variant of the Okonomiyaki culture, a traditional Japanese way of cooking. Other Japanese elements were the use of chopsticks and the high quality of all ingredients. These formed the foundation of the teppanyaki kitchen. The success of this particular restaurant was the reason that the Japanese wrestling champion ‘Rocky Aoki’ opened a teppanyaki restaurant in New York in 1968: Teppanyaki American-style. The cooks – usually not of Japanese origin – juggled with knives and played with fire.

Nonaka’s art of cooking

Masashi Nonaka, chef de cuisine of Okura’s teppanyaki restaurant Sazanka, emphasises that there is a big difference between both variants of the teppanyaki kitchen. The American way is all about showmanship; the quality of the ingredients is of minor importance. In the Okonomiyaki tradition, however, quality is paramount. In Sazanka one finds the latter; Nonaka-san and his team demonstrate that their exquisite cooking is a far cry from the ‘show-and-throw’ spectacle often associated with teppanyaki cuisine. Fish, meat and vegetarian dishes, side dishes and desserts are presented with gastronomic allure, in which the quality of the ingredients is of central importance.


Packages


	Strolling alongside the canals and the charming gabled facades of the old canal houses. Wandering through the city’s small streets and hidden courtyards (hofjes in Dutch). Choosing the most beautiful roses on the flower market to surprise your lover. Amsterdam has lots of romantic elements to offer that make it impossible not to fall in love with the city. Valentine’s Day package The unique atmosphere of Amsterdam is a great recipe to make ones heart beat faster. Surprise your lover with a romantic stay in Amsterdam at Hotel Okura Amsterdam. With the special Valentine’s Day package 'Wanna be my Valentine?' you can spoil your Valentine and overindulge in a most memorable evening in Twenty Third Bar. Enjoy the magnificent view of the city while savoring a glass of Champagne and amuse-bouche prepared in the two Michelin star Ciel Bleu Restaurant. Stay in one of the luxurious and romantic superior rooms and get a free upgrade upon availability. In the morning you can enjoy a delicious breakfast in bed. You can also extend your getaway to Amsterdam with additional room nights. For more information on the Valentine’s package, just check our website.		Asking THE question? Are you planning to propose? Just let us know if you will be needing a ‘partner in crime’ to surprise your Valentine; our Guest Relations team is delighted to assist. We have an array of proposal ‘tricks’ up our sleeve. For example, how about popping the question over a custom made dessert? Or a hidden engagement ring in your room service order? More love in the air? Have you already heard about the new Nagomi Spa & Health? A chocolate or a honey treatment in the double treatment room may just be the perfect way to prolong a romantic break. For more information, see the spa menu. In addition, a romantic dinner for two in one of Okura’s restaurants is highly advisable when you’re in a romantic mood. We recommend booking in advance via +31 (0)20 6787 450.


F&B news

A very popular salad and one of the signature dishes of Serre Restaurant is the Caesar Salad. The original recipe for the Caesar Salad was invented in Tijuana, Mexico by Caesar Cardini. His original recipe consisted of six ingredients: romaine lettuce, garlic, parmesan cheese, croutons, egg and Worchestershire sauce. Because the Caesar Salad is one of the signature dishes of Serre Restaurant, Executive Chef Marc van der Tang was invited to join the test panel of experts of the Dutch consumer program Kassa. Chef Marc: “It was my first appearance on national television, so an exciting moment. Together with Onno Kleyn, who organizes several culinary lectures from January to April in Hotel Okura Amsterdam, and two other experts we commented on the ready-made salads one can buy in the supermarket.” Here you can see Marc’s appearance on television.

Try it out yourself!

As it turned out during the show, according to the test panel’s conclusions, the ready-made salads are hardly ever as tasteful as a Caesar Salad should be. Why not prepare a fresh salad by yourself? Here is Marc’s recipe for a classic, delicious Caesar Salad!

Ingredients for the salad:

Little Gem
Romaine salad
Egg
Croutons
Parmesan cheese
Olive oil

Ingredients for the dressing:

2.5 cup mayonnaise
46 grams pasteurized egg yolk
25 grams of parmesan cheese
25 grams of lemon juice
10 grams of soy oil
2 fillets of anchovy
3 drops of Tabasco
1 clove of garlic
Salt

Preparation

Pick the leaves of the romaine lettuce and the little gem and place both in a colander. Wash the lettuce and drain it well. Then cut part of the leaves into thin strips (julienne). Boil the egg for 4 minutes and rinse it with ice water. This will not overcook the egg and the yolk stays pretty soft. For the croutons, you remove the crust of two slices of white bread and cut it into small cubes (brunoise). Mix the dices with the (garlic)-oil and place on a baking dish. Bake the croutons in the oven for 10 minutes at 180°C.

Presentation

Serve the salad on a large plate. Mix the dressing with the lettuce and put it on the plate. Cut a few slices of parmesan cheese and sprinkle it over the salad. Cut the boiled egg in an egg slicer and place the slices on top of the salad together with the croutons. Finish the dish with a drizzle of olive oil and ... your salad is ready to serve!


Tip from the concierge

In many aspects, 2013 will be a very special year for Amsterdam. Many of the capital’s iconic institutions will celebrate remarkable milestones this year. A range of events are in store throughout the year; here is an overview of just some.

Reopening of the Rijksmuseum

After extensive renovations, the Rijksmuseum will reopen its doors in spring 2013 to reveal an astounding 1.5 kilometres of art with exhibits dating from the present back to the Middle Ages. The museum has been given a complete new look: only Rembrandt’s The Night Watch still hangs in its original place.

40 years of the Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum will reopen following internal renovations in 2013, 160 years after the birth of Vincent van Gogh and 40 years since the museum opened. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of drawings, paintings and letters by the artist alongside works by Van Gogh’s contemporaries. Welcoming 1.6 million visitors every year, the museum is one of the 25 most-visited museums in the world.

400 years of the Amsterdam canals

Amsterdam’s canals are probably one of the city's most iconic sights. They are unique in many ways and express the heydays of Amsterdam in the Dutch Golden Age. This year marks the 400th year of the canals, making them a hotspot for concerts, art and festivals and the subject of several special exhibitions throughout the year.

125 years of the Concertgebouw

The Amsterdam concert hall welcomed its first visitors in April 1888. Now, the Concertgebouw is a world leader in the field, famed for its unique acoustics. Home to the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the concert hall will celebrate its 125th anniversary with an enormous range of special concerts and events and even a digital Concertgebouw project, bringing productions to an even wider audience by broadcasting live concerts in new locations around the city.

125 years of the royal concertgebouw orchestra

With chief conductor Mariss Jansons at the helm, the renowned orchestra celebrates its 125th anniversary with a world tour taking in six continents. Comprising 120 extremely talented and dedicated musicians, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra never fails to put on a spellbinding performance. The orchestra will also perform at the Prinsengracht Concert in August.

The Netherlands and Russia in 2013

A major exhibition entitled The Czar and the Canals will run at the Hermitage Amsterdam from February to August 2013, focusing on the Czar’s visits to the Netherlands in 1697 and 1717. Russia is important for the Netherlands when it comes to economic, cultural and socio-political concerns. Strong ties have been forged between the two countries, dating back to Czar Peter’s visit to the Netherlands in 1697 – a visit that kicked off fruitful trade relations and the exchange of expertise.