Anne Bosveld: owner of Lola's restaurant

Found passion

“My idea was to work for a bank. I like numbers. That's why I went to the Hospitality course at the Hotel School, where I graduated in February 2023.” Anne Bosveld took her first steps in the catering industry at the age of 15. “At La Place in the kitchen. When I was 19, I started working at pop-up restaurant La Floria in the Haarlemmermeer forest. I worked there a lot during corona. I was able to develop myself enormously there and I was released to learn the catering profession. I started working with the owners right away when they started the pop-up restaurant. You hang out together. You learn a lot from thinking along with the team. I liked it so much that I wanted to continue. This is where my love for the catering profession arose, and this is where I found my passion, which fitted in perfectly with my education.” 

A business on the water

The pop-up restaurant La Floria was temporary. “We knew that. So when the permit was not renewed, I went with the owner to his new business in Haarlem. I helped him set up the business. After a year the challenge was over for me. I already had the plan to start my own business, but I wanted to gain experience at a larger company. That became Lowietje aan de Kaag. It was exactly the concept I had in mind. A business on the water. During the application I indicated that I had plans to one day start my own business. After a few months I was asked if I wanted to take over Lowietje. So you see: if you say what you want, beautiful things will come your way," says Anne.

Symbolic name

Anne Bosveld wanted a different name for her business anyway. “Then people know it is new and different. I wanted a short catchy name, but not my own name. Lo comes from Lowietje. Because of the opportunity to take over the business. La comes from La Floria, the place where I found my passion. The name symbolizes the road I took to get here.” 

Slightly different

Lola's distinguishes itself from other businesses because they all do things slightly differently. Anne: “We serve lunch, drinks and dinner. For lunch we have shared lunch with a super cool lunch board. The Netherlands has a drinks culture, which is what we focus on with the drinks menu. Guests can enjoy sharing a drink. It is much more than nachos and bitterballen. Dinner guests often arrive by boat. They want to eat quickly and deliciously. We respond to that: recognizable and unique in the Lola style. You don't get the same thing you get everywhere. Our burger is not a burger with bacon and cheese, but also with pulled pork and fried onion rings.” Anne draws inspiration from everything around her. “People can sit down at Lola's for a nice snack and drink. There is a need for that. Guests come from everywhere by boat, bicycle or car. In the summer you can go to the terrace where there are about 80 places. There is room for 120/130 people inside. Even more can be accommodated at parties. I notice that people want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, looking for an escape. That is possible here.” 

cosiness

When she hears the word 'Haarlemmermeer', Anne Bosveld thinks of conviviality. “I honestly think it is a pleasant municipality with many catering establishments, especially in Hoofddorp. Cool things are organized and a lot is done. I know a lot of people. I really get a feeling of home here. My roots are here, this is where I built everything up. There's no place I feel as good as home.”

Future

Anne Bosveld is not looking for rapid growth or expansion. “First make this a success, keep the attention on Lola's. Maybe that's enough. That's fine then. And you see: age is not an issue. If you want something, you have to go for it. Chase your dream, there is always a way.” Are you curious about Lola's restaurant? Read here .