From Michelin-starred hospitality to driving the future of food systems — Maartje works at the intersection of gastronomy, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. She kick-started her career in sales and marketing at De Librije*, before moving into pastry, gastronomy, and concept development at de Bijenkorf HQ, where she helped create innovative food concepts and campaigns. After attending the Slow Food Youth Network Academy, her focus sharpened on the bigger question: how do we transform the way we produce, serve, and experience food?

In 2013, she co-founded The Food Line-up, using event catering as a platform to accelerate sustainable food innovation. Under her leadership, the company launched pioneering concepts such as Brasserie 2050 and DGTL’s Circular Foodcourt, and in 2020 became Europe’s first B Corp–certified event caterer. Today, Maartje channels that same entrepreneurial energy into ventures that push the protein transition forward, including Snack With Benefits, and as co-founder of Plant FWD — a platform and conference dedicated to accelerating the shift toward plant-forward food systems by bringing together chefs, entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers. 🌱

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