Maartje Boudeling is a retired head chef, known for her cooking in the Michelin-starred restaurant Inter Scaldes in Kruiningen, Netherlands. She was born on January 29, 1939, in Yerseke.

Maartje Boudeling began her career by attending hairdressing school and later opening a hair salon with her two sisters in Yerseke, Zeeland. However, her life took a different turn when she married Kees Boudeling in 1962. Together, they traded the salon for the hotel-restaurant “De Uitkijk” in Kruiningen, which was owned by her in-laws.

Driven by a passion for fine dining, Maartje embarked on a culinary adventure. She honed her skills by learning French cuisine and working in various restaurants across France, from Alsace to Brittany. Back home, she and her husband realized their dream by opening Inter Scaldes in a large villa previously used by the Royal Marechaussee. The restaurant quickly gained popularity due to Maartje’s exceptional cooking.

Maartje Boudeling believed in the freshness of ingredients and refused to import items for exclusive dishes. Instead, she sourced fish, seafood, and most vegetables locally, sometimes ordering several times a day to maintain freshness. Her dedication paid off when she received her first Michelin star in 1978, exactly ten years after opening Inter Scaldes. In 1984, she was awarded a second Michelin star.

Apart from her culinary achievements, Maartje Boudeling also contributed to the culinary world by creating the De Zilveren Oester/Maartje Boudeling Trofee (The Silver Oyster/Maartje Boudeling Trophy) culinary competition, which has been awarded since 2006. She was recognized as the “Lady Chef of the Century” and received other prestigious awards throughout her career.

Her legacy lives on, and her dedication to fresh, local ingredients continues to inspire chefs worldwide.