All companies that want to become part of Amsterdam Made & Locally Made are examined by our Quality Mark Committee. The committee members, a group of six experts in different fields, test the core values of sustainability and creativity or craftsmanship.
Ir. Annelies Soede (Municipality of Amsterdam)
Studied Industrial Design at TU Delft (Ergonomics, Packaging Design & Logistics) and ended up via the business community (Van Leer Packaging Worldwide; Product development, operations management and procurement) at the Municipality of Amsterdam where she works as Project Manager Economy & Sr Policy advisor manufacturing industry with a focus on sustainability.
Frederike Top (maker of Amsterdam Made)
Studied at the Utrecht School of the Arts (Product Design) and has her own design studio in Amsterdam. She designs interior products, often lighting, but also furniture and accessories, and designs objects for public spaces. In addition, Frederike works as head of the Product Design department at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam.
Nathan Wiersma (board member Amsterdam Made)
More than fifteen years of experience in communication, event organization and management. Owner of SVP atmosphere management (creative consultancy and organization agency), executive producer of, among others, SAIL 2015, TEDxBinnenhof and Innovation Expo 2016. Is also, Director of programming and productions of the Kromhouthal, Director of the Amsterdam Maker Festival; Board member of the Amsterdam North Cultural Table Cooperative.
Peter van der Arend (beerologist)
We have engaged Peter van der Arend, an enthusiastic beer lover and beer specialist, especially for beer brewers who apply for the quality mark. His adventure started in 2000 with the opening of Proeflokaal Arendsnest on the Herengracht, where only Dutch beers are tapped. A first in the Netherlands! He now has four cafés in Amsterdam: The BeerTemple mainly serves American beers, ’cause BEER Loves FOOD for a delicious meal next to the beer, and Craft & Draft, where beers from all over the world are on tap.
Mrs. Hamersma (food expert)
Karin Richter is best known as Mrs. Hamersma: cook for family, friends and nowadays also for Het Parool. In recent years she has been cooking a dish every Saturday in which the Harold Hamersma tasting panel selects suitable wines. In de Pijp she opened her own cookbook shop where people cook every day. Here you can exchange cookbooks that you are tired of for something tasty from the Hamersma range.
Tess Posthumus (hospitality expert)
About seven years ago, Tess Posthumus came into contact with the wonderful world of cocktails. After her studies in Media and Culture and Sociology – where she has already researched various alcohol-related topics – she completely immersed herself in the hospitality world. She does not do this without merit: she now has her own bar where she shakes cocktails three days a week, she is the author of the book Cocktails met Tess and carries the title of best female bartender in the world. Posthumus is responsible for spirits in the Quality Mark Committee.