25 YEARS.. PASSION FOR THE CRAFT
“At the beginning of 2013, I visited Mes Amis with a group of friends. I was immediately struck by the warm, welcoming atmosphere. The professional service, the genuine attention given to guests and, above all, the extensive wine knowledge, with what was then still a partially Limburg wine list, really impressed me.”
A Look Behind the Scenes
“I have always worked part time in hospitality and have a strong affinity for the industry, but I never saw myself pursuing it as a full time career. Still, I was always curious about what happened behind the scenes. How do you run a small restaurant? How do you make decisions? What works and what doesn't?
Annaline gave me the opportunity to explore all of this. I spent half my time working in service and the other half learning about the business behind the scenes. Annaline had nothing to hide, and I found that openness remarkable. It made me feel incredibly involved in both the restaurant and the family behind it. You learn not only how a restaurant operates, but also why certain decisions are made. I will always remember the moment Mes Amis was named Maastricht's Most Hospitable Business in 2014, as well as the launch of Wijnrestaurant op het Land at Hoeve Nekum in 2019. Both were important milestones in reinventing Mes Amis, not just as a restaurant, but as a concept.”
Wine as a Common Thread
“I would describe Annaline as kind, warm and incredibly knowledgeable. At times, she was almost like a mother figure to me. Patriek later brought a different energy to the business: more commercially minded, creative and entrepreneurial, yet always attentive to the people around him. He knows how to bring different talents together to achieve shared goals.
The network that Mes Amis has built over the years, including ambassadors, former employees, winemakers, partners and loyal guests, is what makes the restaurant so special. There is an enormous amount of goodwill towards Mes Amis. Add to that the exceptional wine knowledge within the team, something Mes Amis has always championed with genuine conviction.
Although I haven't worked at Mes Amis for quite some time, wine remains a common thread throughout my life. Today, I have my own vineyard and winery, and I organise excursions throughout the region as a Limburg wine guide. The passion for Limburg wines that grew even stronger during my time at Mes Amis is something I carry with me every single day.”
