Chef Margo Reuten Loses Michelin Star After 27 Years at Da Vinci

Restaurant Da Vinci in Maasbracht lost its Michelin star after 27 continuous years, according to an announcement on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Chef Margo Reuten and sommelier Petro Kools learned the news during a Sunday morning phone call from Michelin ahead of the official 2026 guide presentation in Maastricht, ending a run that included ten years holding two stars.

The Sunday Morning Phone Call in Maasbracht

Michelin informed Reuten and Kools on Sunday, October 4, 2026, that Restaurant Da Vinci would not retain its star in the 2026 selection, as reported by De Limburger. The restaurant held a Michelin star uninterrupted since 1999, when Reuten first earned the distinction. A decade later, in 2009, Da Vinci gained a second star, making Reuten the second female chef in the Netherlands to achieve that tier. The kitchen held both stars until 2018, when it dropped to one.

The latest demotion caught the kitchen staff entirely off guard. Dit heb ik niet zien aankomen told De Telegraaf, adding that she did not understand the decision. In an Instagram post highlighted by De RestaurantKrant, Reuten and Kools called the development an unexpected and shattering message. Ons kroontje zijn we nu kwijt, maar de passie voor ons vak pakt niemand ons af, wrote.

Reactions Across the Dutch Gastronomy Sector

Peer chefs criticized the decision following the Sunday announcement. De Limburger noted that multiple sterrenchefs voiced support for Reuten, arguing that stripping her of the star near the end of her career makes no sense. De Volkskrant described the demotion as draconian, characterizing Reuten as a pillar of modern Dutch gastronomy after 26 years of leadership in the field.

Local impact extended beyond the kitchen doors. Meanwhile, guest response took an unexpected turn: L1 Nieuws reported that Da Vinci received a wave of extra reservations following the public disclosure as diners reached out to show solidarity.

The Presentation at MECC Maastricht

Reuten and Kools confirmed they would attend the official Michelin presentation on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the MECC in Maastricht. L1 Nieuws reported that Reuten intended to approach the decision sportively despite the personal pain involved. Under current Michelin protocol, inspectors notify restaurants losing stars over the weekend prior to the public ceremony to prevent public confrontation during the event.

While Limburg awaited the rest of the 2026 provincial star allocations on Monday morning, De RestaurantKrant confirmed that Da Vinci’s name was absent from the incoming roster. Reuten and Kools stated they would continue operating with the same team, maintaining that the kitchen uses high-grade ingredients and operates at its historical standard.