Meet the Team: Ellen Buik

Ellen Buik, Business Manager 25 years old, Rotterdam

Ellen started as an intern at restaurant Aji, as part of her hospitality management course at Zadkine (level 4). She ended up at Aji through a former colleague and, after a year's internship, was offered a permanent position. When that same colleague, who was the company manager at the time, left, Ellen took over his role.

The team kept Aji on for another year under the new owner, and Spice by Blake has now been open for seven months. Ellen is now the business manager of this new concept, and she is doing it with full conviction: together with the team, she ensures that every shift runs smoothly.

What she likes most about her job? The contact with the guests. Making them happy, ensuring a pleasant afternoon or evening; the busier the place, the more Ellen is in her element. She loves the interplay between the bar, kitchen and waiting staff, and the moment she sees a nice review a day later.

Her favourite on the menu: the skewers. “The different skewers offer versatility and a true Indonesian and Balinese flavour.”

Ellen is enthusiastic about the new menu: “We’ve significantly revamped our menu. Also some simpler dishes, less fine dining, more modern Indonesian dining, and that’s really great, and tasty, to come and try.”