By Laura van der Laan
Middelburg’s Grand Café Willem is “the different kind of restaurant.” An initiative by Stichting Philadelphia Zorg Zuidwest, Grand Café Willem helps individuals with mild disabilities and handicaps enjoy working in a restaurant and serving others. For some, working at Grand Café is one step closer to paid work and a more independent life. Grand Café serves not only as an amazing opportunity to provide those with mild disabilities the joy of independence, work, and collaboration, but is also a beautiful restaurant with delicious dishes. According to the users of Couberts, this Cafe is praised as the hotspot of 2015.
Approximately 20 individuals with mild mental handicaps work at Grand Café, serving customers and preparing dishes, with the guidance of a few professional colleagues and a chef in the kitchen. According to various reviews, employees at Grand Café are perhaps the most joyous and kind-hearted waiters and waitresses, who are genuinely excited to serve customers and help to create the warm and happy atmosphere of Grand Café Willem. One user stated that, “The attentive employees are truly and honestly happy that we are there for lunch or dinner.”
Grand Café serves
- Lunch and dinner
- Coffee and homemade treats and desserts
- High Tea
High tea is one of Grand Café’s most elaborate dishes; for the price of 14.95, customers receive a wide variety of teas and biscuits.
In addition, Grand Café works with various charities and other organizations to create diverse options for customers. On Friday, March 20, the restaurant collaborated with Vereniging Bartimeus Sonnneheerdt for a Dine in the Dark evening. The experience allowed visitors to appreciate and understand those without sight. Grand Café also holds art exhibitions and displays art pieces in the restaurant, which poses as an opportunity for UCR students to perhaps present their art.Grand Café also helps you host parties and receptions. For those with more particular dietary specifications, Grand Café offers gluten free, lactose free, sugar free, vegetarian, and vegan foods.
Grand Café Willem may not be in the center of Middelburg, but is certainly worth the 8 minute bus ride. Come by to enjoy a delicious high tea and support a wonderful cause!
Laura van der Laan is a Law major from Orinda, California.
