“Coming here is like entering my home.” With his new restaurant PrivéPrivée, Sergio Herman returns to the roots of his career. Tucked away behind a discreet façade in Antwerp, the renowned chef has created a space that feels even more personal than Oud Sluis, the restaurant of his parents where his journey began. After many projects at home and abroad, Sergio is once again stirring the pots himself, placing his beloved Zeeland cuisine front and center. “Here, we welcome guests into my personal kitchen, where my art and souvenirs hang,” says the Michelin-starred chef.
It’s no coincidence that Sergio and Serax are launching their new tableware collection in this exact place. Named Silhouette, it takes us back to the time when Sergio took his first culinary steps at Oud Sluis, which would eventually earn three Michelin stars under his vision. Silhouette is a contemporary interpretation of the iconic white porcelain plates seen in Oud Sluis and many other warm, classic restaurants.
The name Silhouette not only emphasizes the elegant outlines of the collection but also evokes a poetic resonance, reminiscent of the vibrant, traditional brasserie. “In my career of over thirty years, I’ve had the privilege of discovering the world’s most beautiful places and restaurants, which has brought me to where I am today,” Sergio explains. “But if you ask me where my warmest memories lie, it’s the simple brasseries where you can casually sit down and enjoy a meal.” A true enthusiast of Belgium’s restaurant and café culture, Sergio expresses his love for it through Silhouette. “This heritage is something we should protect.”
In addition to the brasserie, nature also played a key role in the design of Silhouette. Natural forms like clouds and flowers served as inspiration for the collection’s subtle contours. “First and foremost, I’m a Zeeland native, raised in an environment of nature, peace, and open space,” Sergio says. “My curiosity eventually took me beyond Zeeland, but in recent years, with all the traveling—for my two Le Pristines in Asia and my TV show Sergio Over De Grens—I’ve found a new sense of balance.” The man once known for his restless spirit has rediscovered tranquility.
Sergio’s journey and Serax are closely intertwined. The three collections he has designed for Serax reflect the evolution of his culinary philosophy. His first collection, Surface, paid tribute to the raw, earthy tones of Zeeland. The second, Inku, with its minimalist palette of black and white and subtle iridescent accents, drew inspiration from his travels to the East. Now, with Silhouette, Sergio opts for the soft white porcelain. It’s a nod not only to the past but also to the future. The porcelain offers a timeless, neutral canvas that opens up space for new creations and experiences. Old values, new ideas, that’s what Silhouette stands for.
Silhouette is also an homage to Sergio’s parents. “My most vivid memories are from the time I was fighting and sweating my way to the top, with my parents unconditionally supporting me. My father taught me every trick of the trade, and my mother decided to hand over the business so that nothing would stand in the way of my career. They gave me the freedom to chase my dreams wholeheartedly. At the same time, my father often whispered in my ear that I should always keep both feet on the ground.” It’s the advice Sergio treasures most. “With that, he passed on a wisdom I’ve come to truly understand over time: as a chef, you're only as good as the last plate you’ve served.”
With Silhouette, Sergio and Serax present a collection that captures today’s cultural shift towards simplicity, authenticity, and connection. This spirit is even more tangible at PrivéPrivée. “Here, guests sit at a communal table by the kitchen,” says Sergio. “They feel connected to me and my team, and that creates a bond.” In this way, Sergio aims to bring gastronomy back to its essence: uniting people over a good plate, a good glass, and a good conversation.
