Jonnie Boer was one of the greatest chefs the Netherlands has produced, the man who led De Librije in Zwolle to three Michelin stars and pioneered a modern Dutch cuisine rooted in the local landscape. A forager, fisherman and passionate champion of terroir, he built the only three-star restaurant in the country and inspired generations of Dutch cooks. He died in April 2025, and De Librije has retained its three stars in his honour.
Boer’s cooking was inventive yet deeply grounded in the Dutch soil, and his legacy as a mentor and pioneer endures across the country’s gastronomy.
TL;DR
- Dutch chef who led De Librije in Zwolle to three Michelin stars
- De Librije has held three stars since 2004
- A pioneer of modern Dutch terroir-based cuisine
- Foraged, fished and sourced local produce himself
- Died in April 2025; De Librije retained its three stars
Jonnie Boer key facts
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Restaurant | De Librije, Zwolle (3 Michelin stars) |
| Three stars since | 2004 |
| With | His wife Therese Boer |
| Known for | Modern Dutch terroir cuisine |
De Librije
Jonnie Boer had cooked at De Librije in Zwolle from 1989, and in 1993 he and his wife Therese Boer took over the restaurant. Under their leadership it rose steadily to the summit of European gastronomy, earning three Michelin stars in 2004 – a status it has held ever since, making it the only three-star restaurant in the Netherlands.
A pioneer of Dutch terroir
Boer was a pioneer of modern Dutch cuisine built on the local landscape. He sourced regional produce, foraged for wild ingredients and even fished himself, creating dishes that were inventive and technically advanced yet unmistakably rooted in the Dutch soil. He helped establish the idea that world-class cooking could be built from the produce of the Netherlands.
Legacy
Jonnie Boer died in April 2025 following a pulmonary embolism. At the following Michelin ceremony, De Librije retained its three stars under head chef Nelson Tanate, and Boer was posthumously honoured with a special Mentorship Award for his inspiring role in haute cuisine – a fitting tribute to a chef who shaped so many careers.
Signature style
Boer’s cooking combined invention with a deep sense of place. He drew on the herbs, plants, fish and produce of the Dutch landscape, treating them with modern technique and imagination while keeping their honest character. It was a style that gave Dutch cuisine a confident identity of its own.
Jonnie Boer in context
Boer was one of the defining chefs of the Netherlands featured on Pickup Table 4, alongside fellow Dutch chefs Jacob Jan Boerma and Sergio Herman.
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Jonnie Boer FAQ
Who was Jonnie Boer?
A Dutch chef who led De Librije in Zwolle to three Michelin stars.
What is De Librije?
His restaurant in Zwolle, the only three-star restaurant in the Netherlands.
How many Michelin stars does it have?
Three, held since 2004.
What was he known for?
Pioneering modern Dutch terroir-based cuisine.
When did he die?
In April 2025; De Librije has retained its three stars.
