Down-under dining in Amsterdam

From 1 to 14 July 2009, Onno Kokmeijer, executive chef and manager of the two-Michelin starred Ciel Bleu restaurant at Hotel Okura Amsterdam, will host David Griffiths, executive chef at Huka Lodge in New Zealand for a spectacular ‘Ciel Bleu Meets Down Under’ gastronomic event.

Ciel Bleu, the French inspired fine dining restaurant, was awarded its second Michelin Star in November 2007 and is the only restaurant in Amsterdam with two stars. Situated on the 23rd floor of the five-star Hotel Okura Amsterdam, it offers panoramic views of Amsterdam from every table.

Huka Lodge is located in Taupo in the central North Island of New Zealand. Situated in the midst of a magnificent nature reserve, the property has been sought by the world’s most discerning travellers since the 1920s and for many years has been included in the Condé Nast Traveller Magazine Gold List, most recently in 2009.

This iconic lodge has provided a private retreat for an impressive number of royal visitors including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, as well as Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince of The Netherlands and Princess Maxima. Huka Lodge continues to welcome many celebrity guests including Kate Winslet, Rod Stewart and Diana Ross.

Together the two renowned chefs, Onno Kokmeijer and David Griffiths, will create a superb six-course dinner menu – offering guests a true taste of New Zealand on their very doorstep. Griffiths will prepare three courses of New Zealand specialities matched up with New Zealand Craggy Range wines, while Kokmeijer will create three courses complemented by GP wines from Alex van Heeren's Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate in Franschhoek, South Africa.

At the five-star Okura Amsterdam, Japanese style, service and sophistication combine with a relaxed Dutch ambiance to provide guests with an unforgettably warm welcome. The Okura is situated on the banks of the Amstel Canal, close to the city’s cultural, entertainment and financial districts, with the Schiphol International airport just a 15-minute drive away.

Facilities at the 301-room hotel include a traditional Japanese sauna & massage; health club and swimming pool, four international restaurants including Ciel Bleu and the traditional one Michelin-Star Japanese restaurant, Yamazato; executive lounge, business centre and boat jetty.

The six course menu costs €97.50 (£78.50) per person with wine matching an additional €82.50 (£66.45) per person. A special one night ‘Ciel Bleu meets Down Under’ package including an overnight , the six course dinner including wine and breakfast in Le Camelia Brasserie at the Hotel Okura Amsterdam costs from € 510 (£460) per couple.

For more details on the 'Ciel Bleu Meets Down Under' event and to make a reservation, visit okura.nl or cielbleu.nl.