What are our alumni up to? 9 alumni-owned businesses you should check out in The Netherlands

JD Hospitality - Jan Dirk Huijser van Reenen

It originally started as a cocktail caterer in Amsterdam, but it has evolved into a "full-service cocktail creative agency". Cocktailboxes, consultancy, workshops, brand activation, and trainings are some of JD Hospitality's services. Graduated in 2016 from HTH, Jan Dirk Huijser van Reenen is the owner of JD Hospitality and through his company is able to share his passion for cocktails with everyone! Jan has collaborated in the past with HTH for the cocktail competition and it is such a pleasure to see how much love and effort his entire team put into it.

Café Beurre - Kim Jongbloed

La vie en beurre! Café Beurre is a recent project by our alumnus Kim Jongbloed located in Amsterdam West. After his graduation in 2017, and experience in several restaurants in Amsterdam, Kim opened his restaurant in 2022. What's the menu about? Flavors with butter, olive oil, and garlic. The menu has classic dishes with a twist, such as burrata with rhubarb and chili vodka butter. Alcohol is also used as a seasoning; vodka butter with the burrata, but also green olives in Amontillado. A great Parisian bistro in the heart of Amsterdam!

Colima Mexicana - Florian Stallinga

Mexican soul & Mediterranean ingredients, that's the main idea behind Colima Mexicana, the new restaurant of Florian Stallinga in Amsterdam. After the great success of Pikoteo opened in 2015. Florian launched his new project this year and it's all around the Mexican kitchen: tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, and a great drinks menu with Mexican classics but also Colima's signature cocktails!

Maijard Smashburgers - Paul Roy

Are you looking for delicious smashed burgers? Paul Roy got you covered! He graduated this year, and in September 2022 opened the doors of his new restaurant Maijard Smashburgers in Rozengracht, Amsterdam. A homemade secret source, locally-sourced ingredients, and delicious beef and chicken burgers are some of the things you can find there!

The Travelling wedding planner - Nina Molendijk & Susanna van Uffelen

Nina & Susana, both alumni of HTH, fell in love with event planning and travelling when we first started organising weddings & events in Ibiza. After a few years, life brought them to Amsterdam in different career paths, however, wedding planning was always in the back of their minds. They met again after some time and decided to create The Travelling Wedding Planner in 2018, a company specialising in destination weddings, proposals, honeymoons and so much more. The company is now based in Amsterdam, but they travel to their destination weddings with their campervan.

La Cazuela - Mitchel Koedam

Craving some delicious Mediterranean food in The Netherlands? La Cazuela in Rotterdam is what you need! You can find cuisines from Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France. Mitchel opened his restaurant in May 2022 almost two years after his HTH graduation. Enjoy all the Mediterranean flavors from Jamon serrano, calamari, risotto, and a great list of wines just a few steps away from Rotterdam Central station. Apart from great standard dishes and tapas, La Cazuela offers a lot of fish, and vegetable dishes and the menu can be easily adapted to a vegan one!

Renato The Hague - Freek Schraa

Our alumnus Freek Schraa is a hospitality entrepreneur who is working everyday on his Italian dream. In November 2013, he opened his first Renato's restaurant, and 9 years later, we can find his delicious dishes in Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Den Haag, and Bloemendaal aan Zee. In the heart of The Hague, the Foodhallen is home to two Renato's stands where you can try a slice of classic pizza Margherita or a dish of homemade tagliatelle with truffle and Parmesan.

The Craftsmen Hotel - Michelle Zandbergen

In 2019, our alumna Michelle Zandbergen opened the doors of her hotel The Craftsmen in the Canal District of Amsterdam. This historical building offers 14 rooms, each portraying a unique Dutch historical craft. From lofts to signature rooms and luxury rooms, the hotel offers so many room options that vary in size, facilities, design, antiques, and Dutch historical crafts. In November 2021, the team opened The Craftsmen Kitchen next to the hotel serving sandwiches, juices, and coffee!

Ceppi’s - Mats van der Sluijs, Dimitri Bouscasse, Floris Baltus and Pepijn Baltus

Ceppi's will be your new hangout Italian restaurant in the heart of Amsterdam. Authentic Italian vibes via carefully selected ingredients, great vibes, and crew! HTH alumni Mats van der Sluijs, Dimitri Bouscasse, Floris Baltus, and Pepijn Baltus are four of the co-founders of Ceppi's which is located next to Leidseplein. Overlooking the beautiful canals, Ceppi's offers a great menu; from burrata and seabass carpaccio to ravioli and tasty pizza. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and great food at Ceppi's from Monday to Sunday.