Video of oliebollen chef crying over bad review prompts campaign to help Amsterdam man
A video of Amsterdam oliebollen chef Alfred Kroeze crying over a poor score on newspaper AD's Oliebollen Test, prompted an online campaign to support him and his bakery Venekamp in De Pijp.
Amsterdam in general did not score well on the Oliebollen Test, with the first Amsterdam bakery only appearing in the 72nd spot. But with a score of 4.5 and a review of "baked air", Venekamp scored worst in Amsterdam.
Because Venekamp was named the worst in Amsterdam, local broadcaster AT5 decided to interview the baker. In the filmed interview baker Alfred Kroeze burst out in tears. "I've been making oliebollen for 45 years and now I can't anymore? Sorry, I have to cry." he said tot he broadcaster.
The video of Kroeze's interview was massively shared on the internet and prompted sympathizers to launch an online campaign to support him. On Facebook a page was created to encourage people to go buy oliebollen from Venekamp. Show the Algemeen Dagblad that its got hold of the wrong end. Go get the best oliebollen in the Pijp from Alfred at bakery Venekamp on Ferdinand Bol." the page reads.
