Raising The Bar Neolith® teams up with culinary legend for ravishing renovation Michelin-starred maestro Hans van Woldeselected Neolith®Estatuario Silk as an essential material when undertaking the renovation of his internationally celebrated restaurant, Beluga Loves You in Maastricht, Netherlands.

One of the most recognisable faces on the Dutch culinary scene van Wolde is instantly recognisable as a judge on popular TV show MasterChef Holland. Beluga Loves You, his flagship restaurant, holds two Michelin stars and specialises in inventive and exceptional cuisine served in a relaxed atmosphere.

It was on a visit to Spain, when the chef was still in the conceptual stages of his refit, that he first came across Neolith. It was instant attraction for van Wolde: “I just knew I had to have it in my restaurant. I wanted to cook with it and to feel how it handled in a kitchen environment.”

Opting for a classic look with a contemporary spin, he selected one of Neolith’s most enduring and prolific colours, Estatuario Silk. The soft, gentle veining leant itself perfectly to the restaurant design, offsetting the natural woods and metals used across the site.

The Sintered Stone was used on the worktop surfaces and serving tables, but it was on a statement splashback (the backdrop to Beluga Loves You urban-chic wine bar), which proved its most visually striking application.

The surface’s seamless incorporation into the restaurant’s décor was deliberate, one part of a much larger whole, which combined to create a pleasant equilibrium and enhance the dining experience.

Two expert fabricators, Kemie and Arte, were involved in the installation of the project to ensure flawless application across the site. Neolith Estatuario is a faithful interpretation of Carrara marble. The broad and mellow veins crossing a pure white background manifests refinement and delicacy.