At the age of 13 I decided that I wanted to study law. More specifically, I wanted to study children’s rights. So after graduating high school in Leuven, Belgium my journey began in Maastricht, The Netherlands. After successful completion of my Bachelor in European Law and a Master in Public Policy and Human Development, the wide world was calling – but for what?

Study what you love and have courage to follow your dreams. 

My journey with cooking started at a very early age while sitting at the counter at my Godmother’s kitchen. The stools had the perfect hight so that I could always see what she was doing and “occasionally” try something. The older I got, the more I could help and my first steps experimenting with food where taken. Cooking became for me a place for refuge, comfort and learning.

Throughout the years the kitchen became ‘my space’, the space where I could do what I love. Cooking become my ‘workout’ and ‘break’ from studying. Through the years my husband and I became known for our memorable dinner and cocktail parties where good food, good drinks and a lot of laughter were the essential ingredients. Going to the farmers market became my highlight of the week. Every week again I was amazed by the regional and seasonal abundance of fruit and vegetables. These weekly visits and starting my own little urban garden on our very small terras, showed me that produce produced with love and care form the basis for good food. With every meal I cooked, my passion for ‘good’ and ‘healthy’ food grew… and this brought me to today…

to inspire | to encourage | to open eyes

Starting something new – where the essential ingredient first and foremost is courage. I have no idea where Wüstenkind will bring me, but my main goal is to inspire you, to encourage you and to open your eyes.

"Wüstenkind" - desert child 

The name Wüstenkind encompasses two phenomena with which I deeply connect and identify. ‘Wüste’ is the wonderful and harsch reality of the natural existence of nothing more than endless sand, dunes and sometimes a little bit of green. The desert has the Beaty to endure enormous temperature rangers, from boiling hot during the day to freezing nights. it has the ability to go without rain for months, even years and still bring back life. The desert has the power to appear death and suddenly bloom after a few raindrops. This setting requires and allows for endless creativity. For me personally, the desert has allowed me to experiment and come back to the roots – which reflects in the idea of seasonal and regional cooking.

"Wüste" 
requires and allows for endless creativity

‘Kind’ is the beginning of a new story; it is the blanc page that awaits to be written on. A child is the reflection of change, the opportunity for something to change and the choice for development. For me personally, the image of a child encompasses the purity of exploring the unknown, enjoying the challenges of uncertainty and the possibility to develop something new… for me the essential ingredients to cook.

"Kind"
exploring the unknown with endless joy and curiosity 

So please join me on my journey, my adventure and become part of this. Read, cook, explore the unknown, be brave, open your eyes and enjoy every second of it!