At a young age, chef Mark Captein started working in his parents' cheese shop. As a teenager, he soon began dreaming of running his own restaurant. He decided to further develop his skills and attended culinary school. Afterward, he moved to Bonaire, where he joined Rick Van den Broek’s team at Restaurant At Sea. After a brief return to the Netherlands, he set off for a new adventure with his partner Marjolein in Curaçao. Upon their return to the Netherlands, Mark continued his career at restaurant De Nederlanden. In 2018, he joined Van den Broek at Orangerie De Pol, where he became sous-chef in May 2018. That same year, chef Mark Captein’s teenage dream finally came true. Since 1 December 2018, he and his partner, hostess, and sommelier Marjolein van der Ham, have been the proud owners of Orangerie De Pol.
After his successful first masterclass in which Michael Nizzero shared with you his signature dishes, a second masterclass was bound to happen. This time, he goes back to basics and teaches you some simple techniques and recipes from French cuisine that any home cook can use. He then shares some of his vegetarian favourites, showing how versatile you can cook without meat or fish. It is Michael's mission to pass on his knowledge to as many culinary epicureans as possible, and this passion is reflected in his masterclass. Learn all about modern, vegetarian French cuisine with Michael Nizzero.
Chef Niven Kunz developed a passion for cooking at an early age, inspired by his childhood in the countryside. Known for his sustainable approach and love for seasonal, local ingredients, he began his career at top establishments like De Bokkedoorns and De Librije after completing his culinary training. In 2009, he opened Restaurant NIVEN, where he earned a Michelin star for his refined vegetable-focused dishes. Since then, Niven has become a pioneer in vegetable-driven gastronomy, celebrated for his “80/20” philosophy, which places vegetables at the forefront. In 2024, the 'vegetable wizard' received a Michelin star with his restaurant Triptyque in Wateringen.