Naked for Bread – hospitality industry creates nude calendar to raise money
Takeaway meals, delicatessen shops and food trucks: the Dutch hospitality industry is trying all sorts of things to stay afloat. In December – normally a lucrative month – they have to remain closed too. To generate at least a little revenue, twelve restaurant chefs have stripped off for a special calendar: Naked for Bread.
The sisters from Gebrouwen voor Vrouwen are featured in March. They not only brew beer, but also have a beer bar, the Gebrouwen door Vrouwen Bar, which has been standing empty for months. ‘Lovely initiative,’ say Do and Tessel. Together with Ghislaine, Joske and Arlene, they pose in their bar, one button undone, then another, for the photographer.
Stripping off with love
Anyone who wants to know what Freek van Noortwijk looks like in the buff should turn to May. Freek, chef at, among others, the Amsterdam restaurants Breda and Guts, has also been doing his best to keep the businesses running for months. ‘Especially during this second wave, it’s difficult to stay afloat. So of course I’m happy to strip off to support our industry.’ Other chefs in the calendar include Erik van Loo (Parkheuvel, Rotterdam) and Esté Strooker (’t Amusement, Arnhem), Mario Ridder (Joelia) and Jos Grootscholten (Perceel).
Brabant in the buff
Two brothers in Brabant had the same brilliant idea. Pieter and Tom van Tits, who run a catering company together, are creating a nude calendar featuring hospitality workers from the area, they tell Eindhovens Dagblad. When purchasing the calendar, hospitality businesses that could use some financial support can be nominated. The Naked for Bread calendar is also available online; the full proceeds (minus printing costs) go to the hospitality industry. The initiators plan to sell at least four thousand copies.
