Aesthetics, love and pleasure - north-west Europe captivates with the art of living
Frothy kisses from the Netherlands, the French way of life and British tea: a journey through north-west Europe delights the eye, heart and stomach.
Nicole Oelen from Nijverdal in the Netherlands sells marshmallows. She has 40 flavours on offer, from baked apple, pistachio, lime and gingerbread to pink gin, rum grape nut and cinnamon. She also offers the classic dark, milk and white chocolate flavours. A Dutch woman offering marshmallows under the name ‘Germany Delicatessen’ in Hall 5.2 between Schwarzwaldwild and Ulmer Brauerei? That raises questions.
German delicacies from the Netherlands
I'm actually German,’ says Nicole Oelen. She has lived in the Netherlands since 2002. A decision of love. ‘My husband lured me to Holland,’ she reveals. In 2016, she started a small shop selling German delicacies such as stew and potato salad. There were always interruptions in her professional life. Here too, love was the reason. ‘When my husband became very ill, I closed the shop and looked after him,’ she says. After he received a donor kidney, he asked her: ‘What do you want to do now?’ Nicole's answer: sell foam kisses at trade fairs. Last year, she was already represented at Grüne Woche with ‘Germany Delicatessen’. This year, the stand is doing particularly well. ‘Berlin didn't just embrace us this time, it overran us,’ says Nicole Oelen. Visitors stand in three rows in front of the large selection.
In Hall 18, between tulips and oversized Klompp slippers, an entire area has been set up with Dutch specialties, but the Netherlands will also be represented in Hall 6.2: Behind Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate, the Flying Dutchman offers poffertjes with various toppings and Dutch fries. The secret of their preparation is a special vegetable oil, reveals Nick Slagter at the stand. (6.2/190). A few steps further on is ‘Petite Paris’ (6.2/178). The macarons in all the colours of the rainbow attract even more visitors than the Dubai chocolate next door. Strawberry Cheescake, Frozen Yoghurt and Bubblegum are the names of the flavours, plus Chocolat, Oreo, Dutch Cookie and Black Cherry Pie.
Savoir-vivre and openness in France
Trade fair visitors will find even more French specialities such as baguettes, champagne, cheese, chocolate, croissants, dry sausage, olives, oysters and pastries in the ‘Taste France’ area in Hall 4.2. At elegant white high tables with bar stools, they can enjoy life with French wine from Pieroth (4.2/225). ‘We opted for an open stand concept so that people can just pop in and take a seat,’ says Pieroth Sales Manager Thomas Bolm. And if someone comes by with poffertjes from the Netherlands or ham from Belgium (18/112)? ‘Then they're welcome to sit down and we'll give them the right liqueur to go with it,’ he says.
British specialities are available in the Fudge Shop (Hall 7.2b/101). Owner Mike, born and bred in Staffordshire, has over 20 years' experience in finding and selling typical British treats and naturally also offers Yorkshire Tea, the UK's best-selling tea, at his stand.
