Herman van Ham
Herman van Ham | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Netherlands |
| Died | August 2, 2012 (aged 81) |
| Occupation | Executive chef |
| Years active | 1952–1988 |
| Known for | Michelin-starred chef at Hostellerie De Hamert; expertise in asparagus dishes |
Herman van Ham (born 16 April 1931, died 2 August 2012) was a distinguished Dutch executive chef, best known for his tenure at the Michelin-recognized Hostellerie De Hamert located in Wellerlooi, Netherlands, where he maintained Michelin stars from 1963 through 1989.
Starting his career at De Hamert in 1952 as a kitchen assistant, Van Ham rapidly advanced to the role of head chef, a capacity in which he served until his retirement in 1988. He gained particular acclaim for his expertise with asparagus, earning titles such as De Ongekroonde Koning van de Asperge (The Uncrowned King of Asparagus), Asperge Paus (Asparagus Pope), and Mister Asperge (Mister Asparagus). Among his renowned creations was the "Cocktail Prins Alexander," a dish blending chicken, asparagus, and oranges, crafted in 1967 to honor the birth of Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange.
Following his retirement, Van Ham assembled a notable collection of asparagus-themed culinary creations that were showcased at the Keramiekcentrum Tiendschuur Tegelen in 2012 and earlier displayed at the Aspergemuseum De Locht in 2008.
He succumbed to an illness and passed away on 2 August 2012.
Awards
- Michelin star awarded continuously from 1963 to 1988
- Prix d'Escoffier from the Alliance Gastronomique Néerlandaise, received in 1988
- Knight of the Confrérie de l'asperge de Limbourgondie
- Gold Eremedaille of Oranje Nassau
- Chevalier of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs
Books
- Het aspergesboek: heerlijke gerechten met de koningin der groenten; co-authored with Wiel Basten, published by M & P in 1989
- Het aspergeboek; Herman van Ham and Wiel Basten, Van Dishoeck edition, 2005
- Het aspergekookboek; collaboration with Wiel Basten, released by Van Reemst in 1998