Ten years ago, he became co-owner of Daalder. There, he found the freedom to create a signature of his own: refined, outspoken and full of character, without the distance of traditional fine dining. Not long after, his talent was recognised by Gault&Millau, who named him Talented Chef of the Year, and he received a Michelin star.
What drives Dennis is heart. A deep love for ingredients, for his team, for the craft and for every guest at the table. Every dish has to be precise, but more importantly, it has to make you feel something. His cooking is elegant and exacting, yet energetic, warm and unexpected. Dennis brings more than exceptional cooking to the table. He tells his story. Plate by plate.
For Dennis, creating a dish is a search for harmony: for that moment when ingredients, flavours and textures do not simply complement one another, but elevate each other. His creative process is shaped by craftsmanship, intuition and memories of his childhood, where food was the beating heart of Moluccan family life. That warmth, connection and depth can be felt throughout his cooking.