Dutch culinary community mourns death of Michelin-starred chef Jonnie Boer

The Dutch culinary community is in mourning following the unexpected death of Jonnie Boer, the celebrated chef and owner of De Librije, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 60. Chef Boer, a towering figure in the Dutch restaurant scene, died of a pulmonary embolism on Bonaire, where he and his wife Thérèse had operated their Brass Boer restaurant.

Chef Rik van de Laar, who worked alongside Boer at De Librije for seven years and now runs two successful restaurants in The Hague, described the loss as “a black day for the hospitality industry.” He recalled Boer as a mentor who taught him the importance of working with nature and always striving for perfection. “He was a giant from whom I learned the most,” van de Laar told NOS. “His love for nature and pure flavors was unparalleled. That’s what I carry forward in my own work.”

Laurent Smallegange, a fellow Michelin-starred chef from restaurant Spetters, also expressed admiration for Boer’s impact. “What he achieved, no one in the Netherlands has done,” Smallegange told NOS. “He was the foundation of my career, and to many others in the industry, he was a teacher and a guide.”

The loss of Boer also resonated deeply in Zwolle, the city where De Librije is located. “He was more than a top chef; he was an innovator, a source of inspiration, and a proud ambassador for our city,” Zwolle Mayor Peter Snijders told NOS. Restaurants in the city closed their doors to allow staff time to process the news and honor Boer’s memory.

On Friday evening, during Koningsnacht in Zwolle, a minute of silence will be observed. The tribute was announced by the local chapter of Koninklijke Horeca Nederland, the Dutch hospitality industry association. “It’s an icon the city has lost,” said Dennis Kaatman, chair of the Zwolle branch. “It’s worth taking a moment to reflect.”

The chef’s death comes at a time when his legacy was transitioning to the next generation. Boer’s children, Jimmie and Isabelle, along with chef Nelson Tanate, recently became co-owners of De Librije. In February, Dutch television aired De Opvolging, a documentary following the Boer family as they navigated the next chapter of their restaurant. Jimmie Boer expressed his gratitude for his father’s teachings in a heartfelt Instagram post: “I’m going to make you proud even if you won’t see it… see you soon, old man.”