THE GOLDEN GIFT FROM GOUDA
He had different ideas but once he heard from an acquaintance about stroopwafels he had his “Eureka” moment. A real, traditional, freshly-baked stroopwafel was nowhere to be found in his birthplace, Amsterdam! “This is it”, Ruud thought. “That’s what I’m going to do!” And that’s exactly what happened.
Since most of the stroopwafel bakers had their own specific recipes, Ruud went to look for an expert. Where else could one be found then in the place of the original “Goudsche Siroopwafel”: Gouda! After tasting different stroopwafels, Ruud eventually ended up with the friendly and goodhearted Nico, from Gouda.
Nico was a stroopwafel baker in heart and soul but because of his age, he was already thinking about stopping with his passion to bake stroopwafels. Nico had personally developed his special recipe and he saw that the enthusiastic Ruud would be a worthy person to maintain his beloved stroopwafel recipe.
At that time, Ruud was already full-time self-employed and had, in addition to his stall at the Albert Cuyp market, a route full of customers built up where he would deliver his freshly-baked stroopwafels. Upon retirement, Nico gave his precious secret recipe as a gift to Ruud.
Nowadays, TV reporters and vloggers from all over the world regularly visit the Albert Cuyp to show typically Dutch products and often film the real, original stroopwafel as the highlight of the program.
Since about two decaded, Ruud has help from his son, Dennis and his son-in-law, Alex. Even Ruud’s grandchildren can’t wait until they can help out at the stall. The future of the Original Stroopwafels at the Albert Cuyp market is now guaranteed to continue for decades to come.