bak&fiets – from cargo bike to full-service amsterdam caterer
With our catering in Amsterdam, we never really have our clients all to ourselves.
People often switch caterers — and that makes perfect sense. Every day champagne and caviar would get boring. Sometimes you just want to taste and experience something different. That’s why we like to look over the fence at other caterers we meet here in Amsterdam.
This time, we spoke with bak&fiets, a young and energetic caterer that literally started on a cargo bike and now travels all over the Netherlands with their live cooking concept.
From cargo bike to catering
Job: Let’s start with the name — bak&fiets! Where did that come from? Was it a shower thought or a brainstorm?
Olivier:
“We started bak&fiets during our entrepreneurship studies in Amsterdam, right in the middle of Covid. All the restaurants and bars were closed, so we decided to explore street food instead, because “to go” was still a possibility. We bought a classic Dutch cargo bike — a bakfiets — and that’s where the name came from. The literal translation is cook and bike.
We sold funky hot dogs on the streets of The Hague, and it went surprisingly well because everyone was outside walking laps — there was nothing else to do during lockdown.”
When the lockdowns ended, the police started to become more strict. “It wasn’t really allowed, of course,” Olivier laughs. “At that point, we rolled into the events world. People who had seen us on the streets started asking if we could do the same thing at their company events or at their home — and that’s how bak&fiets became a catering company.”
Lessons from the early days
Job: What was the hardest part about starting your own catering business?
Olivier:
“In the beginning, we often underestimated how much work went into each event. You only realize afterward how many hours it actually takes — from prep to setup and cleanup. Now we’re much more structured, with clear processes and better planning. That’s what allowed us to grow.”
From a school project to a full-service caterer
Olivier founded bak&fiets together with his business partner Noa, both classmates at the time.
“I’m more focused on client contact and sales,” Olivier explains. “Noa is the backbone of operations — she handles structure, organization, and ordering. Together we prepare proposals and make sure every event runs smoothly.”
The company now works with a team of 30 to 40 people, a mix of full-timers and flexible staff. “Most of them work both in production and on-site — preparing, plating, serving, and helping design new dishes,” he adds.
On the road — all across the Randstad
bak&fiets is based in Haarlem, but they’re not tied to one city. “We mainly organize events in and around the Amsterdam,” Olivier says, “but we basically go all over the Randstad. That’s what makes our work so much fun — every time it’s a different location, new people, and a new atmosphere. It gives you a little glimpse into someone else’s life each time.”
Live cooking and event catering
What sets bak&fiets apart is their ability to combine event catering with styling and atmosphere.
“We don’t just provide food,” Olivier says. “We also take care of decoration, bars, and sometimes even help with DJs, lighting setups and other entertainment. It’s complete event management — we handle everything, a full-service experience, but only if the client wants us to.”
And unlike many caterers, everything is cooked fresh on location.
“We build an outdoor kitchen or live-cooking setup at every event,” he explains. “That’s what we enjoy most — guests can see, smell, and experience the cooking. We don’t do buffets or delivery catering because we want every bite to be served at its best.”
A young and energetic team
Job: What makes your team and service different from other caterers in Amsterdam?
Olivier:
“At a lot of events, you’ll see several people standing behind the bar, and guests have to get up to grab their own drinks. At bak&fiets, it’s different! Our team walks around the entire event, making sure everyone is taken care of. Got an empty glass? We’ll come to you and ask if we can make you happy with something to drink.
It’s much more personal — guests love it. We’re proactive, not waiting behind the counter but mingling with the crowd.”
That young, high-energy approach has become a hallmark of the brand. “Clients notice our team is young, enthusiastic, and genuinely enjoys what they do,” he adds. “That creates atmosphere.”
From hot dogs to high-end
Four years in, bak&fiets has come a long way from its hot-dog beginnings.
“We now work with a few chefs who help us develop new dishes,” Olivier says. “One of our signature items is our lamb rack — clients always pick it as their favorite. We love experimenting, so our menus keep evolving.”
Their biggest milestone so far?
“August 2024 we catered a corporate festival for 500 guests,” he recalls. “Together with an event planner we built the full setup: kitchens, food stations, bars,decorations and entertainment. The setup took three days and the breakdown two days — all for an event that lasted just over seven hours.
Fresh, young, and on location
bak&fiets represents a new generation of caterers in the Netherlands: fresh, creative, and focused on live experience. They might have started on a 100-year-old cargo bike, but today their setup includes full kitchens, cocktail bars, and themed food stations — all mobile and adaptable to any location.
“We still keep the old bike,” Olivier smiles. “It’s part of our story.”
Looking for catering in Amsterdam?
If you’re looking for catering in Amsterdam and want to get inspired beyond your usual caterer, take a look at what young players like bak&fiets are doing. Their fresh energy, live cooking approach, and personal service show just how diverse the Amsterdam catering scene has become. Whether you’re planning a large corporate event, a walking dinner, or an intimate party at home — there’s always a caterer in Amsterdam that fits your style.