About The Dutch Table
Welcome to The Dutch Table! This website is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich culinary traditions of the Netherlands. Our journey is rooted in a deep appreciation for the flavors and recipes that have been passed down through generations, often without written instructions, but always with love and fondness.
We are here to bridge the gap between past and present, reviving the cherished dishes of our parents and grandparents. Our goal is not just to share recipes, but to connect hearts and souls to their Dutch heritage, rekindling memories of the meals that brought families together. Through our platform, we aim to offer a warm, inviting space for everyone to explore and learn, ensuring that these timeless recipes are not just preserved, but also adapted and passed on to future generations.
While our primary focus is on traditional Dutch cuisine, we also embrace the evolving tastes and innovations in modern Dutch cooking, highlighting how our food culture is continually enriched over time. Join us in creating stronger bonds over shared meals, rediscovering forgotten flavors, and nurturing a community that thrives on the joy of Dutch cooking and the stories that come with it.
About Me
This website is my invitation to you to explore, rediscover, and cherish the Dutch culinary heritage, whether you are seeking to reconnect with your roots or are simply curious about our cuisine. Born and raised in the Netherlands in a Dutch-Indonesian home, I traveled to many places before finally settling down in Idaho. Food is a huge part of my life: I eat and grow it, read and write about it, and work with it every day.
I graduated with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management in Barcelona, Spain, where I lived for a decade. Upon returning to Holland, I also obtained a diploma in Café and Restaurant Management from the SVH. At one point in my life, I realized that there were three things that made me happiest: teaching, writing, and all things food. I was able to leave my job in a technical field and return to school, this time to get a culinary education.
To better hone my skills, I also became a Master Gardener and a Master Food Preserver, and had the amazing opportunity to obtain my ProChef I certification at the Culinary Institute of America. I returned to school, but this time to be a culinary arts instructor, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I taught both baking and culinary arts, as well as managing front of the house, for almost six years, until the program closed. Nowadays, I still work in higher education, but in a different field.
My freelance writing and food photography has been published regularly in Dutch, the magazine, Idaho Women's Journal, and other publications. The website has been featured in KLM's in-flight magazine, in Jamie Magazine, and in Margriet among others, and served as a resource for other print media publications such as Mimi Sheraton's "1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die", and Emily Wight's "Dutch Feast". You can also hear me in SBS Dutch's food podcast "Aan Tafel!".
I am always open to new opportunities to promote our cuisine and food traditions. If this is something that speaks to you, or if you have any questions, please reach out. I'd love to hear from you at nicole at the dutch table dot com.
Tot ziens!
Nicole Holten