How would you like to enjoy a meal created by the world’s smallest chef? At just 6cm tall, according to legend, he was born in April 2015 in Marseille, France.
Le Petit Chef is a fully immersive 3D dining experience where a tiny, animated chef is projected directly onto your table, cooking your meal right in front of your eyes. It’s playful, it’s cinematic, and it’s genuinely unlike anything you’ve experienced at a dinner table before — and he has officially taken up residence in The Hague for the very first time.
The concept was created by Belgian artist collective Skullmapping — Antoon Verbeeck and Filip Sterckx. Previously focused on projections onto house walls and streets, and participants in light festivals worldwide, the duo decided to try it out on tabletops. The premiere took place on Antoon Verbeeck’s terrace, where both artists cooked for their friends. Le Petit Chef himself is a 3D scan of Verbeeck’s son, and the inspiration for the entire show.
Le Petit Chef was previously only available in Amsterdam — however, voco The Hague, the quintessential hotel with Dutch design, wanted to bring this truly one-of-a-kind experience to our beach city. It’s an extraordinary dining concept, one that goes far beyond a traditional dinner, and they felt The Hague deserved its own piece of that magic.
Le Petit Chef offers different show editions globally, and The Hague is currently running Show 1. The menu is a set five-course offering, and what makes this version special is that the hotel has incorporated locally sourced ingredients from regional suppliers, keeping it rooted in local identity. A curated wine pairing option is also available to complement each course.
Each course begins with a show projected directly onto your table, right before your meal is served. From the chef dealing with a mischievous mole in the garden to sailing the sea in search of seafood, it’s charming and sweet — and right up your alley if you’re looking for something genuinely different.
So the show is the highlight, but what about the actual food? I tried both the classic and vegetarian menus, which were freshly made and satisfying. From a caprese salad with gorgeous burrata, beautifully plated, to a vegetarian main of rich and creamy mushroom ravioli and a classic main of beef sirloin paired with broccoli — the menu delivers lovely ingredients and flavours you may not expect.
Le Petit Chef is an evening that will surprise you, and a wonderful way to mark a special occasion. Click here to read about the concept and to make a booking: https://lepetitchef.com/the-hague/
Do you have a story about your own café, restaurant or bar in the city? Reach out to sherika@thehagueonline.com to possibly be featured.
Sherika Rooplal-Clappers is a contributing writer for The Hague Online, covering culture, lifestyle, and local events. With a passion for storytelling and international perspectives, she highlights the people, places, and experiences that make The Hague a dynamic city.
Images: voco The Hague and Sherika Rooplal-Clappers