In this episode of Chefs & Cellars, we travel to Delft to visit Restaurant Azurite, where we sit down with chef-owner Mario Ridder. Located within Huis van Delft, Azurite represents the culmination of a remarkable career that has taken Mario through some of the Netherlands' most influential kitchens, including Parkheuvel, De Zwethheul and Joelia. During our conversation, we explore how decades of experience, craftsmanship and ambition have come together in what may be his most personal project to date.

We discuss the origins of Azurite and how the project evolved from an advisory role within Huis van Delft into a restaurant that reignited Mario's passion for hospitality. What began as a conversation about the future of dining in Delft gradually transformed into an opportunity that he found impossible to ignore. Along the way, Mario reflects on his career, the lessons learned from years at the highest level of Dutch gastronomy, and the feeling that everything he had been building towards had finally come together.

A major theme throughout the episode is hospitality. Mario shares his philosophy that restaurants should create memories rather than simply serve food, and explains how Azurite has been designed as a complete experience. Guests move through different spaces during the evening, from the bar to the dining room, kitchen and cellar, creating a journey that feels immersive without becoming theatrical. We also discuss the restaurant's design philosophy, its connection to Delft's heritage, and Mario's belief that the plates themselves should remain at the center of attention.

Wine plays an equally important role at Azurite. With a cellar housing approximately 12,000 references, Mario has built one of the most impressive restaurant wine collections in the Netherlands. During our conversation, we discuss his lifelong fascination with Burgundy, memorable bottles that changed his perspective on wine, and his belief that great wines are defined not by rarity or status, but by the memories they create around the table. As Mario puts it: “Wine is made to make memories.”

The episode also features a shared bottle of Petit Cheval Blanc 2021, which becomes a perfect illustration of the themes discussed throughout the afternoon. As the wine evolves in the glass, Mario reflects on how the finest wines continue to reveal new dimensions over time, interacting with food, conversation and the people sharing them.

You can discover more about Restaurant Azurite in the full article and dining review on our website, where we explore Mario Ridder's philosophy in greater depth and take you through the complete ‘Van Streek tot Signatuur’ menu, including the wines and pairings enjoyed during our visit.

Join us as we explore how Mario Ridder has transformed decades of experience into Azurite, a restaurant where craftsmanship, hospitality, and a passion for wine come together to create lasting memories around the table.