A Collective of Culinary Curiosity
Meet the hands, hearts, and minds crafting flavors that transform everyday meals into memorable experiences.
Our Philosophy
Our Mission
At The Artisan's Collective, we exist to transform familiar ingredients into extraordinary condiments that elevate everyday meals. Our collective of Dutch food entrepreneurs bridges the gap between artisanal quality and contemporary tastes, bringing premium flavors to the modern Dutch home.
Our Story
The Artisan's Collective began in 2022 in a small Amsterdam kitchen where Joris and Gerrit "Big G", frustrated by mass-produced condiments lacking character, started experimenting with small-batch preserves using local ingredients. Joris brought his extensive food industry experience, while Gerrit contributed his exceptional palate developed through years of passionate food exploration.
What began as weekend experiments quickly evolved into a passion project as friends brought different culinary backgrounds and bold ideas to the table. Thomas added his experience with fermentation, Annemiek contributed her knowledge of Dutch herb traditions, and Dirk introduced smoking techniques that would become signatures of our flavor profiles.
Today, our collective has grown to include seven artisans, each bringing unique expertise to our ever-evolving range of products. We've moved from that initial kitchen to our workshop in Amsterdam's creative district, but our approach remains the same—meticulously crafted condiments that transform ordinary meals into something worth talking about.
Our Values
Curious Craftsmanship
We're endlessly fascinated by flavor combinations and techniques, constantly asking "what if?"
Transparent Authenticity
We openly share our process, sourcing, and the stories behind our ingredients.
Local Inspiration, Global Exploration
We honor Dutch culinary heritage while embracing international influences.
Sustainable Practice
We craft with consciousness, using recyclable packaging and supporting local growers.
Meet the Artisans
Our collective brings together skilled Dutch food entrepreneurs who work together to create quality condiments with traditional methods and contemporary flavors.
Joris van Niel
Founder & Flavor Developer
With a long and distinguished career in the food industry and a passion for heat-forward flavor profiles, Joris leads development of our spicier creations. His extensive culinary experience across top restaurants in Europe has given him an unparalleled palate for flavor combinations. After years of working in high-end establishments, he returned to Amsterdam determined to elevate Dutch condiment culture beyond traditional offerings. Joris's talent lies in finding the perfect balance between heat and complementary flavors that make our products truly unique.
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Barrel-Aged Hot Sauce
"A truly great condiment doesn't overwhelm, but rather reveals new dimensions in familiar foods."
Gerrit "Big G" Brouwer
Co-Founder & Taste Virtuoso
Known affectionately as "Big G" for both his stature and his outsized passion for food, Gerrit has developed an exceptional palate simply by eating - a lot. What began as a personal love for experiencing diverse cuisines evolved into an uncanny ability to identify and combine flavors. His intuitive approach to taste complements Joris's technical expertise perfectly. Gerrit's meticulous attention to detail ensures our preserves maintain vibrant flavors and colors while achieving perfect consistency, all tested through his personal taste approval process.
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Fig & Port Preserve
"Great flavor isn't just about technique or tradition - it's about knowing what makes your taste buds dance."
Thomas de Vries
Fermentation Specialist
After spending three years studying traditional fermentation methods throughout Asia, Thomas brings both scientific precision and intuitive understanding to our fermented products. His experiments with unexpected ingredients and techniques have led to some of our most distinctive offerings.
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Caramelized Onion Spread
"Fermentation is the original slow food—patience transforms simple ingredients into complex flavors that can't be rushed."
Annemiek Bosch
Dutch Heritage Curator
With family roots in Dutch farming that span five generations, Annemiek ensures our innovations remain connected to Dutch culinary traditions. Her knowledge of indigenous herbs and forgotten preparation methods has revitalized classic Dutch flavors for contemporary palates.
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Dutch Apple & Warming Spice Preserve
"Our greatest innovations often come from looking backward—rediscovering what previous generations understood about bringing out the best in local ingredients."
Dirk Bakker
Smoke Master
A former craft butcher who discovered his true passion lay in the transformative power of smoke, Dirk brings depth and complexity to our product line. His custom-built smoking cabinets and careful wood selection process ensure the perfect smoke profile for each product.
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Smoked Tomato Relish
"Smoke isn't an ingredient, it's a technique—one that should complement rather than dominate."
Willem Dekker
Spirits & Infusion Expert
With experience in craft distilling, Willem brings expertise in incorporating alcoholic spirits into our preserves and spreads. His understanding of how various spirits interact with different ingredients has created some of our most sophisticated flavor profiles.
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Bacon & Whiskey Jam
"A splash of the right spirit doesn't just add alcohol—it opens up new dimensions of flavor that wouldn't otherwise be possible."
Sophie Visser
Sustainable Sourcing Manager
The newest member of our collective, Sophie's background in sustainable agriculture and food systems ensures our ingredients are not only delicious but responsibly sourced. Her relationships with local producers help us secure unique, seasonal ingredients while supporting the regional food economy.
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Seasonal Limited Editions
"True sustainability means creating relationships, not just transactions, with the people who grow our ingredients."
Our Process
From initial inspiration to final packaging, we follow a meticulous process to ensure each product meets our exacting standards.
Inspiration
Every product begins with curiosity: a flavor memory, an interesting ingredient, or a gap we've noticed in Dutch pantries.
Development
We test dozens of variations, adjusting proportions and techniques until we achieve the perfect balance.
Sourcing
We build relationships with local producers who share our values, ensuring quality ingredients harvested at peak flavor.
Small-Batch Production
Working in limited quantities allows us to maintain control and ensure consistency while making adjustments based on natural variations in ingredients.
Preservation
Using traditional methods updated with modern food safety knowledge, we create shelf-stable products without artificial preservatives.
Tasting & Refinement
The entire collective participates in tastings, providing feedback that often leads to subtle improvements.
Packaging
Our distinctive glass jars and labels reflect the care that goes into each product, designed to be both practical and beautiful on your shelf.
Our Workshop
Where tradition meets innovation in the heart of Amsterdam.
Nestled in Amsterdam's historic center, our workshop combines traditional equipment with modern tools. With a communal tasting table at its center, the space reflects our collaborative approach—designed for both efficiency and the creative exchange of ideas.
Visitors often remark on the wonderful aromas that fill the space, from caramelizing sugars to smoking woods and simmering spices.
Sustainability Commitment
Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond words—it's integrated into every aspect of our production process and business decisions.
Recyclable Packaging
We use glass packaging and paper labels printed with vegetable-based inks to minimize environmental impact.
Local Sourcing
Whenever possible, we source ingredients within 100km of Amsterdam to support local growers and reduce transport emissions.
Food Waste Reduction
We develop creative products that utilize parts of ingredients that might otherwise go to waste.
Seasonal Production
Our production schedule follows natural growing cycles, ensuring ingredients are at their peak flavor and nutritional value.
Composting Partnership
We partner with a local composting program to ensure our production byproducts are properly recycled.
Join Our Journey
We're always looking to connect with local growers, food enthusiasts, retailers who share our values, and chefs interested in collaborative development. Contact us to start a conversation about how we might work together.