Three-Michelin star chef Jonnie Boer dies aged 60

Jonnie Boer, a three-Michelin star chef, has passed away at the age of sixty.

The prestigious chef, one of the Netherlands’ most influential chefs and a trailblazer of modern Dutch cuisine, passed away on April 23, 2025.

Jonnie Boer took over three Michelin-starred De Librije with his wife Thérèse Boer in 1992, having cooked there since 1989. 

De Librije has retained its three-star status ever since, and following recent changes to other establishments, it became and remains the only three-Michelin-starred restaurant in the Netherlands.

In 1995 De Librije joined the Alliance Gastronomique Neerlandaise - Holland's most prestigious culinary association which aim is to develop, guard and promote our national culinary heritage.' In 1997, the publishing house of Waanders launched the first book, Pure.

In the same year Jonnie was promoted as Chef de Cuisine. In 2001, the Purer Cookbook, our second book, was published, followed two years later by the Purely Natural and Natural Enjoyment.

Jonnie was a pioneer of modern Dutch terroir-based cuisine, sourcing local produce, foraging, and even fishing himself. His dishes were inventive yet rooted in the Dutch landscape. Notable plates from De Librije included:

    •    Milk Cow with Smoked Eel, goat cheese, and baharat – served dramatically on a cow’s shoulder blade
    •    Langoustine with Vanilla Kombucha – a fresh, acidic twist on ceviche
    •    Pike-perch from IJsselmeer, smoked bacon, and Riesling beurre blanc
    •    Tulip Bulbs with Turmeric and Black Garlic – a dish that turned heads for its creativity
 

The latest book, PUURST, was published on June 3rd 2012, completing the trilogy and recently won ‘Best Chef Cookbook’ 2013, awarded by the Gourmand World Cookbook awards.   

Jonnie passed away on 23 April 2025 in Bonaire at the age of 60 due to a pulmonary embolism.

According to Dutch newspaper, In February, Boer told the Telegraaf that it was time to take a step back after years of hard work, he said: “It is great that something we have worked on for 35 years can stay in the family.”

Jonnie is survived by Thérèse, who was also De Librije’s hostess and sommelier, and their two children, Jimmie and Isabelle.

The Staff Canteen would like to pass on their sympathies to the family and friends at this difficult time.

Written by Abi Kinsella