Schathoes Verhildersum
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Dick Soek |
| Defunct | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Leens (until 2012), then Den Ham (from 2012) , Netherlands |
Key people | Dick Soek (owner and head chef) |
| Products | Upscale dining, Italian-inspired cuisine |
Schathoes Verhildersum was an upscale dining establishment situated on the Verhildersum estate in Leens, Netherlands. It was awarded a prestigious Michelin star in 2004, a distinction it upheld until 2012.
The restaurant was owned and led by head chef Dick Soek, who broadened his culinary ventures in 2005 by acquiring the Piloersemaborg, thereby operating two dining locations concurrently. In 2012, due to logistical and financial considerations, Soek transferred Schathoes Verhildersum along with its team from Leens to Den Ham, centralizing his enterprise at a single venue. This transition led to the forfeiture of its Michelin star.
In 1994, Soek assumed control of the "Schathuis" on the Verhildersum borg grounds. Initially functioning as a tearoom, he converted it into a high-end restaurant. The term "schathuis," which translates to "treasure house," originally described a cattle shed, originating from the old Frisian word "skat," meaning livestock.
In 2003, Elsevier included Schathoes Verhildersum among the Netherlands' top 39 Italian eateries. Soek credited this Italian inspiration to his culinary education and approach, which combined elements of Italian style with organic ingredients and influences from both French and Italian gastronomy.