Party in Meerzicht: this catering topper wins a prize

The flag can be raised in the Meerzicht shopping center because entrepreneur Glenda van Duivenvoorde of Surinamese restaurant Toespijs has been declared the winner of the IGNITE Award 2022.

During the final on Tuesday, January 31, Glenda was told that she was not only the winner, but also won an amount of 30,000 euros. “With this amount of money I can help even more people.”

Enjoy cooking and helping people

In 2018, Glenda and her daughter moved from Suriname to Zoetermeer. She went to work in the canteen at the Broedplaats, a Zoetermeer cooperative where starting entrepreneurs work while retaining benefits. Her Surinamese dishes were so popular that she started her own restaurant in 2020. In addition to good cooking, Glenda helps people with a distance to the labor market with a workplace.

Back to work from welfare

The annual prize, the Ignite Award, is a prize for entrepreneurs who want to make the world more social. Glenda knows better than anyone what it’s like to go back to work from welfare. She now uses her experience, warmth and patience for other people who find themselves in the same boat.

First of all, the jury was impressed by the speed with which Toespijs got off the ground in the first year. And in addition, Glenda received the award because of her empathy and understanding for people who are long-term unemployed. “Glenda is a strong, independent woman and she is the ideal coach to help people get back to work because of her practical experience, warmth and patience.” You can put that in your pocket Glenda, congratulations!