Actually, it all started with Eva. In the 1970s she had a bar and a small restaurant, het Ezeltje and Tafeltje Dekje. In 1976 I started there as a kitchen maid to supplement my study allowance. The interview for the job went as follows. “Do you like good food”? “Oh, yes” I said. “All right, you’re hired.”
And when Cor took me to work once and she was without a bartender, Cor started behind the bar. There we learned how cosy a café could be and how important good food was.
Eva changed restaurants a few times and if we could, we followed her. She owned the Amsterdommertje and the Stappert.
She was special, had a big heart, sang beautifully, loved conviviality immensely and had a great sense of humour. She was also a bit difficult at times, but you couldn’t have a better teacher especially for ‘shy’ me.
In the early days of Cor-rupt she helped a lot by literally standing behind the bar and making food. Later when she had her own business again, with good advice.
When Cor and I got married and threw a big party in Artis for family, friends and all the people from Cor-rupt, the manager walked away halfway through the party. He couldn’t handle this group of people. Eva took over without our knowledge, directed the staff, took charge of the food etc. In short, ensured that the party would go on. She was worth gold as usual.