Thérèse Boer oversees the dining room and wine program at the acclaimed restaurant De Librije in Zwolle, shaping hospitality as a fully integrated experience. Sommelier, maître d’ and entrepreneur, she received the Medal of Honour from the City of Zwolle in 2008.
Born in Kampen, the Netherlands, Thérèse Boer-Tausch developed an early interest in hospitality: at just fourteen she enrolled at the Middelbare Hotelschool in Zwolle, where she refined her sensitivity to service and food-wine pairing. Her first professional steps included working in the school restaurant and weekend service. A chance encounter in a nightclub with chef Jonnie Boer, then twenty-two, marked the beginning of a personal and professional partnership that would profoundly shape both their careers.
In 1990 she joined the team at De Librije as hostess and sommelier, quickly standing out for her ability to suggest pairings and her meticulous attention to detail in the dining room. In 1994 she earned the SVH Wijnmeester title, followed in 1995 by the SVH Meestergastvrouw certification—two prestigious recognitions from the Stichting Vakbekwaamheid Horeca (SVH).
In 1993, together with Jonnie and supported by a bank loan, she purchased De Librije, becoming the soul of its dining room and wine program. Under their leadership, the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in 1993, the second in 1999 and the third in 2004.
A major milestone in her career came in 2009 with the launch of her wine line “Kus van Thérèse” (“Kiss of Thérèse”), which went on to receive international accolades, including silver medals at AWC Vienna. At the same time, she strengthened the identity of the dining experience at De Librije, considering the dining room as a true sensory environment. As she stated in an interview: “It’s the small gestures that make the guest feel like the protagonist.”
Her professional philosophy is rooted in respect for ingredients, thoughtful pairings and a personalised approach to hospitality. For decades she has helped define De Librije as a model of integrated fine dining. In the Michelin review, her service is described as exemplary, guided by a professional who understands exactly which pairings enhance each dish.
On a personal level, she has balanced a demanding career with family life—she has two children—and with overseeing the broader group connected to the restaurant, its hotel and cooking school. Over the years she has mentored young hospitality and wine professionals, contributing to the education of a new generation of sommeliers.
Among her recognitions is the Medal of Honour of the City of Zwolle (2008), awarded for her contribution to the community and to the local hospitality sector. Through her work, alongside her husband Jonnie Boer (who passed away on 23 April 2025), she helped turn De Librije into an institution that harmonises cuisine, wine and hospitality at the highest level.
