Former De Librije chef passes away suddenly: ‘Hopefully you’ll be cooking up a storm with Jonnie in heaven’
Former De Librije head chef Maik Kuijpers has died at age 40 after suffering a heart attack following the Dam tot Damloop race in Amsterdam. Widely respected in the culinary world, Kuijpers was a former protégé of Jonnie and Thérèse Boer and leaves behind a wife and two children.
Former De Librije chef Maik Kuijpers has died unexpectedly at the age of 40. The acclaimed chef passed away after suffering a heart attack following his participation in the Dam tot Damloop running event in Amsterdam. He fell into a coma and never regained consciousness, marking a tragic loss for the culinary community. Kuijpers began his career at De Librije in Zwolle at age 19, eventually becoming the right-hand man to Jonnie Boer. His former mentors, Jonnie and Thérèse Boer, expressed deep grief, noting his dedication and professional growth. Known for his talent and strong work ethic, Kuijpers later became a co-owner of the hospitality group De Eendracht. He was a father of two and had recently moved into a new home in Amsterdam. Colleagues and industry figures have expressed shock and sadness over the sudden passing of the young and athletic chef, who had planned to eventually scale back his intense work schedule to spend more time with his family.
Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

