The tea garden may also come to an end with the couple’s move. Marleen: “Continuation is up to the next owner. Whoever it is, I sincerely hope that they will take over.” Of course, Marleen also asked daughters Ilse and Daniek to run the tea garden. Ilse says that this is just too much. “Daniek and I already run our restaurant Bij Wollegras (near the sheepfold in Bargerveen). I have two children myself and a third is on the way.” In short, there is simply no time.
According to Marleen, it was not an easy decision. Especially because she built the entire tea garden on her own. In 2012, the Hoogland family bought the rectory. Initially they started with a kiosk on the street. Marleen: “But people soon went to the garden to enjoy their coffee there.”
Koos: “So we moved our coffee machine there from the kitchen.” A covered catering point followed a year later, which was expanded little by little over the years.
Not only the place, but also Marleen’s cooking attracted visitors. She made up many cake recipes. The rhubarb strawberry, the meringue pie and the peach-forest fruit variety were especially popular. Those who want to enjoy it there can visit Zwartemeer until October. Marleen: “I’ll just finish the season, you know.”
If the tea garden is continued, Marleen’s cakes may remain part of the menu. “I want to put my recipes in the sale, haha.”