So, you’ve decided to stay in the Netherlands over the Christmas holiday and are ready to celebrate the Dutch way—whether you’re visiting your partner’s family, celebrating with friends, or just eager to embrace the local customs. You’re in for a treat, or at least something different from the usual Christmas dinner of gammon, turkey, vegetables and trifle pudding. Welcome to the world of gourmetten!
What is Gourmetten?
Now, you might be wondering, what exactly is gourmetten? The name might sound a bit odd, but it promises a delightful dining experience. Gourmetten involves using tiny raclette pans to fry your own meat and vegetables on a tabletop grill, which often runs on gas or electricity.
If you were hoping for a quick meal, think again. Gourmetten is all about gezelligheid—the Dutch concept of coziness and togetherness. Picture this: you’re gathered around the table with family, all cooking together and enjoying each other’s company. In terms of food, expect a wonderful spread of different meats, fish, and vegetables. Feeling adventurous? You can even whip up tiny omelettes or pancakes in your little pan!
If you’re trying to find a comparison, think Swiss raclette, a stone grill, or perhaps Korean BBQ. And don’t worry about being limited to just meat and vegetables; the table is usually adorned with fresh salads, crusty baguettes, and an array of sauces to complement your meal.
Where Does Gourmetten Come From?
The Dutch Christmas tradition of gourmetten—a communal grilling experience where you cook your own mini meals at the table—was popularised in the late 1970s as part of a marketing push by the Dutch meat industry. In response to the growing popularity of cheese fondue, the Dutch Meat Office hired Huub Oudshoorn and Ton Boer to promote meat consumption, encouraging families to grill small cuts of meat like steak, schnitzels, and slavink on a tabletop griddle. This easy, interactive cooking method quickly gained traction, with about 30% of Dutch families adopting it, especially around Christmas. The tradition was seen as a way to make meat more accessible and enjoyable, but it also benefited butchers by encouraging people to buy more meat. Today, gourmetten remains a beloved Christmas activity, though it faces some competition from ready-made meat packages in supermarkets, which have led to a decline in support for local butchers. Despite the convenience of supermarket options, gourmetten is still seen as a fun, social way to enjoy a meal, reflecting both a shift in Dutch eating habits and the lasting influence of the meat industry’s marketing campaign.
My Personal Gourmetten Experience
In Christmas 2016, I had the pleasure of experiencing gourmetten firsthand with my friend Monique’s family. It was a festive occasion brimming with warmth, laughter, and an enticing array of ingredients. We gathered around the table, each of us frying our own selection of meats, seafood, and vegetables, customizing our meals exactly to our liking.
What I loved most about gourmetten was the sense of togetherness it created. Unlike the long hours I typically spend in the kitchen back home in South Africa, preparing elaborate meals, gourmetten offered a relaxed and enjoyable way to share a meal. As someone who loves cooking, I found this experience both unique and fun. My friend kept telling me that I’d be cooking my own food, and I was more than happy to embrace the idea. However, I’ve heard that there are food snobs who turn their noses up at gourmetten, complaining that the smell of the food lingers in your clothes and hair. Personally, I didn’t mind at all—I had an amazing time! If they sold the gourmetten setup in South Africa, I’d be the first to buy one.
Read more:
https://www.thedutchtable.com/2011/11/slavinken.html
Thank you for reading, and Merry Christmas! If you’ve ever tried gourmetten, I’d love to hear what you thought of it. Feel free to share your experience—I always enjoy hearing from my readers.
Nikkidiscovers 