Together with his wife and business partner Thérèse Boer he runs the 3-starred De Librije (in 16th century monastery library building[1]) and Librije's Winkel (cooking shop)[2]
They also own Librije's Hotel and Librije's Atelier (cook- and wine school), all located in a former women prison.[3]
In 1989 Boer became head chef at De Librije. In 1992 he and his wife bought the restaurant. Michelin awarded the first star in 1993. Five years later Michelin awarded Jonnie Boer his second star.[4] In 2004 Boer was awarded his third star.[5]
Jonnie Boer uses nature as his source of inspiration to develop new dishes, but also as basis of his cooking.[6][7]
Controversy
In February 2011 the local paper De Stentor reported that Jonnie Boer was in financial trouble. Fact was that the Librije Group was hit by the economic recession and had to cut costs. The firebrand sale at order from the banks of restaurant Koperen Kees was nonsense, according to Jonnie Boer.[8] Boer claimed that the sale of Koperen Kees was one of priorities, the theater-formula not fitting with the philosophy of the rest of the Librije Group. Sander Dol became the new owner.[9]
Books
Books by himself or with his wife
Puur : Restaurant De Librije, Zwolle (Dutch); 1997[10][11]
Puurder : Restaurant De Librije, Zwolle (in Dutch and English); 2001[12][13]
De Librije : puur eten & drinken (Dutch); 2005[14]
Purer: The Cooking, Wine & Spirits Bible--Restaurant De Librije Zwolle (English); 2006[15]
Pure Passie : makkelijke recepten uit de keuken van De Librije, wijntips en leuke anekdotes (Dutch); 2009[16]
Books written with others
Puur natuurlijk : Restaurant De Librije, Zwolle (Dutch); 2003[17]
En Cas : Jonnie Boer, Alwin Houwing, Nico Boreas, Robert van Beckhoven, Edwin Kats, Ronald Tausch en Cas Spijkers (Dutch); 2005[18]