Patrick 't Hart

Zeezout sits in Rotterdam's port-facing Kralingen neighborhood. 't Hart's sea salt philosophy runs through every decision: sourcing from Dutch fishermen, North Sea shellfish, coastal herbs — cooked with a clarity that lets the sea's natural flavors speak. Rotterdam is, above all, a port city, and 't Hart's cooking honors that identity.

Patrick 't Hart, who started cooking at age 12, is the chef and owner of Zeezout in Rotterdam, which earned its Michelin star in March 2021. His name 'Zeezout' (sea salt) signals the restaurant's philosophy: honest, clean flavors rooted in the Dutch coastal tradition of salt, sea, and simple honest cooking.

Netherlands — trained in Dutch fine dining; developed from age 12; focused on Dutch coastal flavors

Career

• Chef at Dutch restaurants, Rotterdam, Netherlands (2000s–2015)
• Owner-Chef at Zeezout, Rotterdam, Netherlands (2015–present)

Mentored by Dutch coastal culinary tradition.