EUHOFA WORLD CONGRESS 2025

Albert Kooy

Albert Kooy is a leading advocate for Dutch Cuisine, known for promoting sustainable and locally-sourced ingredients. As a chef and culinary educator, he combines traditional Dutch culinary heritage with a focus on sustainability and seasonality. Beyond the kitchen, Kooy is an author and speaker, advocating for a modern, responsible Dutch cuisine that honors its roots and embraces contemporary trends. His work elevates Dutch cuisine globally, inspiring chefs and food enthusiasts worldwide. Learn more about Dutch Cuisine here.

Keynote: Thursday April 10

Jef Staes

Jef Staes (Belgium, 1956) is a recognized authority on learning processes and innovative organizations. After a career as a Software Designer in Digital Telephony, Training Manager, and Corporate Learning Officer, he now assists CEOs and organizations in finding comprehensive answers to the changing dynamics of today’s market. His central question is: “Why don’t organizations learn and innovate fast enough?” Jef Staes addresses this question through his work. He has written several books on the topic, including the Red Monkey Trilogy, and has been a popular speaker at numerous international conferences, including four TEDx talks.

Keynote: Thursday April 10

Corné van Dooren

Dr.ir. Corné van Dooren is an ecological nutritionist. He is senior advisor sustainable diets at World Wildlife Fund Netherlands (WWF NL) and senior researcher Ecological Nutrition at Wageningen University & Research. Prior to this, he worked as a sustainable food expert at the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum). Sustainable diets, food-based dietary guidelines, food waste, labelling, food diversity, and the protein shift are among his fields of expertise, reflected in his list of scientific publications. He is member of the Dutch Society of Nutritional Sciences (NAV).

Keynote: Thursday April 10

Geert van der Veer

Geert van der Veer is co-founder and director of ‘Herenboeren Nederland’. He also co-founded Aardpeer, a fund aimed at acquiring and leasing out agricultural land to actors in the food transition, as well as the farmers networks Groenboerenplan, Caring Farmers and Boerenperspectief, which aim to connect and support farmers who work towards an organic, circular and/or nature driven food production system. At the moment, Geert is also involved in the development of De Plaatsen: physical meeting places where knowledge and practices of nature driven farming can be brought together and shared.

Keynote: Thursday April 10

Photo by Fleur Born.

Toine Timmermans

Toine Timmermans is the Managing Director of the foundation Food Waste Free United, a national public-private partnership in the Netherlands (www.foodwastefreeunited.com). He also serves as the Program Manager for Sustainable Food Chains at Wageningen University & Research.
Toine has coordinated several EU projects, including FUSIONS and REFRESH, which focus on innovation and research in food waste prevention at the EU level (www.eu-refresh.org). Additionally, he is a member of the EC Food Loss and Waste Platform and a Non-Executive Director on the board of End Food Waste Australia.

Keynote: Friday April 11

Maaike de Reuver

Maaike de Reuver is the editor-in-chief of Food Inspiration, where she delves into the latest trends in foodservice. Known for her engaging keynote presentations for major corporations like Unilever and Google, she also frequently gives presentations at culinary schools and moderates the Food Inspiration Days, one of the biggest foodservice congresses in the Benelux region. Additionally, she is a scout for Food100, recognizing transformative food companies. Her deep expertise and innovative vision make her a leading authority in food trend analysis and industry innovation.

Keynote: Friday April 11

Arno Folkerts

Arno Folkerts is a prime example of a modern coaching leader. 
He is a practical man who, with knowledge, sensitivity, and humor, 
makes the concepts of change and collaboration clear and concrete.

Arno is renowned for his warm yet clear-cut approach, allowing him to communicate effectively at all levels.  He delves into themes such as leadership, change, and collaboration. In his energetic, surprising and  confidently relaxed style, he takes the audience on a journey. With his magnetic stage presence Arno leaves 
the audience inspired to collaborate and drive change.

Keynote: Saturday April 12