The Cookbooks, Chefs, and Places That Inspire My Cooking
I’ve always been inspired and influenced by others, it’s how my love for cooking grew. As a child, it were my grandmothers who shaped my early kitchen adventures, showing me the magic in simple, heartfelt meals. Later, I found inspiration in celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, and Anthony Bourdain, whose passion and creativity opened my eyes to new ways of thinking about food.
Cookbooks also played a huge role, from classic guides like Cooking School to my grandmother’s treasured 1941 version of “Recepten Huishoudschool”. I was fascinated by the techniques, the stories behind the dishes, and the endless ways ingredients could be transformed. I wanted to understand not just how to cook, but why things are done a certain way.
My curiosity didn’t stop at my own kitchen, I wanted to see how cooking is approached around the world. From the vibrant flavors of Ecuador and South Korea, to the comforting traditions of Limburg and the bold tastes of Mexico, I’ve been drawn to discovering the stories, techniques, and cultures that make each cuisine unique.
The cookbooks
The cookbooks that truly inspired me to embrace the challenges of cooking began with Kook School (Cooking School). It’s a seemingly simple book, yet its visual design, rich in images and step-by-step illustration, made even complex techniques approachable. The classic dishes it contains are timeless, and the clarity of its instructions made them easy to recreate at home.
Next is my all-time favorite, already mentioned, Recepten Huishoudschool. This treasured book transports you deep into traditional Dutch cooking, yet it also surprises with a modern twist. From Dutch-Indonesian fusion dishes to elegant preparations like oysters and caviar, it shows how tradition and creativity can coexist beautifully.
I also went through a phase deeply inspired by Chinese cooking, during which He Huang’s China Modern became a constant companion. Her approach is simple, clear, and precise, every dish, including the exquisite Sien Shu Gi, consistently turned out sublime, proving that elegance and simplicity can go hand in hand in the kitchen.
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