5 tips: How to combine game with herbs and spices

As a candidate for Bocuse d'Or Netherlands and owner of Wild Atelier, Jonathan Zandbergen is committed to putting the Netherlands on the map as a culinary destination. He offers 5 tips for combining game with herbs and spices.

1. Immerse yourself in game

You need product knowledge. What do you know about the animal? What color is the meat? Is it young or older? Based on that, choose a suitable technique and preparation. Then taste what that preparation does to the flavor and determine what herbs and spices you need.

2. Do not let herbs and spices overpower it

Game takes center stage. Everything you add should provide complexity and depth. A poached pheasant fillet is subtle and therefore requires caution. A concentrated stew of pheasant leg has much more flavor and can therefore handle stronger spices.

3. Play with flavors

Experiment with herbs and spices themselves as well. Taste them plain, roast or grind them, and make different combinations. Every outcome teaches and inspires.

4. Leaf through old cookbooks

To come up with something new, I actually enjoy looking through old cookbooks. Then I see a combination that makes me think: hey, interesting. For example, I read that cardamom and hare go well together. I wouldn't have come up with that myself right away. By trying it afterwards, you discover: this works really well.

5. Give yourself time

Knowledge does not come out of nowhere. Working with game, herbs, and spices means trying, researching, cooking, and especially tasting a lot. Keep at it. Especially in a world that revolves around speed and convenience, you can distinguish yourself with game. See it as a superpower. Game has the future. Seize your chance!