I am Raffaele Puliga, a chef with Dutch and Italian roots. I was born to a Sardinian father, and cooking has always been a passion in my family. From a young age, I learned to prepare traditional Italian dishes, like ragù, alongside my father. My love for food has only grown stronger over the years.

I trained as a chef at the Euroborg in Groningen, and I currently teach culinary students in the hospitality industry. During my time as Sous Chef at Landgoed De Holtweijde in Twente, I had the privilege of mentoring a student who went on to become the best student of the year at the Cas Spijker Academy. Shortly after, our team had the honor of cooking for the Bib Gourmand in 2019, a moment of great pride for me and the team.

Cooking is not just a profession for me—it’s a way of life. I spend every day exploring food photography, capturing the dishes I prepare for family and friends. My wife even jokes that she no longer needs to go to restaurants, as she gets restaurant-quality meals at home.

One of my greatest joys is barbecuing and smoking meat and fish. I take particular pride in making house-smoked salmon, smoked duck breast, and smoked butter to create unique sauces.

For me, cooking is an expression of passion and love. It’s about sharing my experience and bringing together flavors from various cuisines, including Mexican, French, Italian, Indian, and Asian. Food is more than just nourishment; it’s about creating memorable experiences that people can savor and enjoy.