Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Star Ghent restaurant Souvenir, founded in 2013 by Joke Michiels and Vilhjálmur “Villi” Sigurdarson, closes after 11 years. Despite challenges, it earned a Michelin star and inspired many.
As VRT News reported, the star restaurant Souvenir in Ghent is shutting down after 11 years.
Joke and Villi are proud of what they built and are thankful for the memories. They said the restaurant’s story has naturally ended.
Their decision isn’t because of problems, but because they’ve finished their adventure. They mentioned that Souvenir was more than just a restaurant; it was about passion and hard work. The plans of Joke and Villi are unknown.
“Gastronomy is wonderful, but behind the scenes it is also very hard. You have to give everything of yourself, every day. Gastronomy is a rollercoaster. We are not too proud to admit that,”
Joke and Villi said.
Why are Joke and Villi closing Souvenir after 11 years?
The owners, Joke Michiels and Vilhjálmur “Villi” Sigurdarson, started the restaurant in 2013. They faced challenges early on, like not having enough money for equipment and building the restaurant themselves.
Despite these issues, they focused on using seasonal ingredients, sustainable practices, and providing personal service. Souvenir quickly became popular in Ghent and earned a Michelin star, along with a high rating from Gault&Millau, making it one of Belgium’s best restaurants.
As Joke and Villi shared, they enjoyed operating the Souvenir in Ghent, but it was quite stressful. They struggled with balancing a restaurant’s demands with family life, since their kids grew up in the busy kitchen, often merely a few feet away from the prep area or the dishwashers.
Joke had some substantial falls during pregnancy, and she subsequently had a miscarriage from the stress. They say that had they known how tough it would be, they would probably have never opened the restaurant. Both physically and emotionally, they were always contending with their personal lives and their work.
“We have always worked according to how we saw it ourselves, not according to how we were seen. We always said: if we start cooking for the guides or for the points, then we will lose it. We must always focus on our guests, we do it for them,”
Joke and Villi said.
Even with the struggles, Joke and Villi remember their time at Souvenir fondly. They see it as a wonderful adventure with so many stories, achievements, and challenges. They are incredibly appreciative of all the customers who used the space and the many staff who came through the building. They will be selling the building soon, but they may return with something new down the road.
