Joris Bijdendijk is the Executive Chef of RIJKS®, the restaurant located inside the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and the culinary mind behind Wils, a Michelin-starred fire- driven restaurant that celebrates craftsmanship and flavor through open-flame cooking. Born in Amsterdam and raised between the city and his family’s farm in the Belgian Ardennes, Bijdendijk developed a deep respect for ingredients and the rhythm of nature from an early age. His cuisine blends the heritage of Dutch culinary traditions with a contemporary, globally inspired sensibility, reintroducing local produce and craftsmanship to fine dining with creativity and precision.

Under Bijdendijk’s leadership, RIJKS® earned its first Michelin star in 2016, while Wils also received a Michelin star in 2021, marking him as one of the key figures redefining the Netherlands’ gastronomic identity. In 2025, he was named Gault&Millau Chef of the Year, further cementing his place among Europe’s most influential chefs. As the founder of the Low Food movement, he continues to champion sustainability, inclusivity, and the development of a new Dutch cuisine that reflects both cultural heritage and modern innovation.