Sidney Paul van Leeuwen
My personal history goes all the way back to 1980, but the last years counts the most. During this time I was mainly the owner for years, later the business was transferred to my sister, and chef of grand café La Belle in IJmuiden. This was the last in a row of several hospitality businesses that I (co)set up after graduating from one of the better hotel schools in Europe.
During my education I did many internships in renowned hotel/restaurants in Amsterdam, Saint Tropez, Monaco and Bali. My entrepreneurial nature is also reflected in the chairmanship of several associations and foundations.
Cooking is a true love (okay, next to Yvonne and Jessie, then), but since my childhood I also developed an enormous passion for water.
Sailing and diving have become an integral part of my life. With all the relevant diplomas and certificates as well as a mountain of experience in the culinary, sailing and diving fields, I can totally indulge myself aboard the Dali. And that was anything but a given, because my life was turned upside down in one fell swoop a few years ago, when a devastating fire in La Belle wounded me badly.
An unprecedented intensive rehabilitation process with many operations followed. With unbridled willpower and the support of my loved ones, I managed, step by step, to pick up my life and turn this experience into something positive: by acting as a ambassador for burn-prevention and care, but also by continuing to pursue my dream for the future. The result? This life on the water, with less pressure, stress and hard work but with the invitation to taste it!