Francis Kuijk
The Story
"When it all became life changing"
Francis Kuijk
After reaching the finals of The Great Bake-Off Series, pursuing my culinary passion and dreams was 'the only' next step. I set up my company, Francis Bakes & Cooks with activities ranging from tv & radio, workshops, live cooking, demonstrations, and charity work. It is completely envigorating when you get to do what you love.
As a Dutch-Indonesian, cooking and sharing food is ingrained. It is part of our heritage, the back-bone of our Indo culture. There is not a Indo gathering anytime, anywhere, when food is not shared. And it is precisely this that is the driving force behind my culinary activities to this day.
The traditional Indonesian and Dutch-Indonesian food culture is a gift to be shared and passed down to generations to come.
How fabulous would it be if my children and grandchildren can say "oh I make this just the way mum (or grandma) did".
Game Changer
Finalist and viewers favourite 2016 Season 4 "Heel Holland Bakt" The Great Bake Off TV series
Author
2017 Francis Bakes & Cooks (Dutch)
2019 The Basics of Indonesian Cooking (Dutch)
2020 "Bersama" Indonesian Food for Sharing (Dutch)
TV Chef
2016-2019 Regular Guest Chef National & Regional TV
2019 4-part Mini Series "Makan Mee Met Max" (Indonesian Cuisine)
About
the cook in the kitchen
So I'm
Dutch-Indonesian
Raised in Australia
Living in The Netherlands
Owner Francis Bakes & Cooks
Favourite Quotes
"The secret to getting ahead is getting started"
​
"You won't know if you can until you try"
Happiest when ...
with my children, grandbabies, family & friends
​
cooking, baking, eating!
Wake me up for
spicy herbed mackerel baked in banana leaves
ice cream, chocolate
... keeping Indo Food culture alive
"A kumpulan is a gathering of people. And growing up in a Dutch-Indonesian household the word was synonymous with fun, laughter and food, lots and lots of food. Preparations for the gathering started well in advance, and we knew that the animated chatter of who would make what, would bode well for us. It meant we would be getting together with friends. We'd be sharing a meal, and there would be enough for everyone that walked through the door."
