De Echoput
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant, Hospitality |
| Founder | Jaap Klosse |
| Headquarters | Hoog Soeren, Apeldoorn , Netherlands |
Key people | Peter Klosse (owner), Peter Paul van den Breemen (head chef, since 2014) |
| Products | Fine dining, game specialties (venison, wild boar, game birds) |
De Echoput is an upscale dining establishment located within Hotel Gastronomique De Echoput in Hoog Soeren, Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Over the years, it has been awarded one or two Michelin stars during the periods 1971–1997, 2002–2004, and in 2012. Additionally, it holds a GaultMillau score of 15.0 out of 20.
As one of the founding participants of the Alliance Gastronomique Néerlandaise, De Echoput enjoys a distinguished position in Dutch culinary circles. The restaurant’s inaugural proprietor and head chef, Jaap Klosse, capitalized on its proximity to the Royal Game Reserve Het Loo by focusing on seasonal game specialties such as venison, wild boar, and various game birds. This focus is complemented by the establishment’s architecture, which resembles a traditional hunting lodge.
From 1974 onwards, Theus de Kok managed the kitchen operations, starting as head chef and later advancing to executive chef-maître. In June 2010, Leendert Scholtus took over from Chiel Dohmen as head chef but left in February 2014 to pursue his own business. Subsequently, Peter Paul van den Breemen—formerly owner and head chef at Het Jachthuis Hoog Soeren—assumed leadership in April 2014.
The original restaurant was closed and demolished in 2004. Since 1985, Peter Klosse, son of the founder, has owned the property and was responsible for reconstructing the site into a combined hotel and restaurant facility. Upon reopening, the venue received the International Restaurant Awards’ accolade for Best New Restaurant of the Year/Luxury Restaurant.
Michelin star history
- 1971–1984: one star
- 1985–1989: two stars
- 1990–1997: one star
- 1998–2001: no stars
- 2002–2004: one star
- 2005–2011: no stars
- 2012: one star
While some accounts suggest that De Echoput held a Michelin star beginning in 1967, this is not corroborated by official Michelin Guide records.