Three continents, Two Cultures, One Plate

In this episode of The Rice Table, we sit down with Francis Kuijk — Dutch chef, culinary author, and one of the most recognizable voices in Indonesian and Indisch cuisine in the Netherlands.

Francis first captured national attention as a finalist on the TV-show Heel Holland Bakt in 2016, where her baking skills and storytelling through food made a lasting impression. Since then, she has become a passionate ambassador for Indonesian and Indisch food culture, sharing traditional flavors and techniques through workshops, cooking demonstrations, television appearances, and her writing.

She is the author of several acclaimed cookbooks, including Basisboek Indonesisch, Bersama, Manis and Planken met een Indische twist, each reflecting her deep respect for Indonesia’s culinary heritage and its place within Dutch food culture.

Born in the Netherlands and raised in Australia, Francis brings a distinctly Dutch-Australian perspective to her work. Her Australian upbringing, combined with her Dutch-Indonesian roots, influences both her personal style and her approach to food — bridging cultures, memories, and traditions at the table.

In this conversation, we explore identity, migration, and how food becomes a powerful way to tell stories across continents and generations.

#HeelHollandBakt, #FrancisKuijk, #DutchFoodScene, #IndoRoots