Students run pop-up restaurant for a good cause: ‘We want to connect Delft’

It is a little after six in the evening and the first visitors are starting to arrive. The volunteers walk to and fro from the storage area to bring the last containers of mayonnaise, chopped vegetables, and kitchen equipment to the kitchen. A reception committee of neatly dressed students welcomes the guests. “Can I take your coat sir?”

For the first time in more than 10 years, the Happietaria has returned to Delft. The pop-up restaurant will be open four days a week for a month and will be run mostly by members of the Central Student Council student association and other volunteers.

A large banner has pride of place just in front of the entrance to the restaurant. There are flyers about Tearfund, the good cause, on a table to raise awareness. Tearfund is originally a Christian charity that was set up to support peace projects to lift people out of injustice and poverty.

Smile

At one large table a group of people are enjoying their main course. They turn out to be a political party. They came here to have a quick meal before their meeting. Leon: “We heard about Happietaria at a presentation evening about student initiatives. We immediately said let’s go there!” His table companions praise the service. “I have rarely been served so quickly and properly,” says one. Another says “It really is service with a smile.”

A purpose is to bring different Delft residents together, in particular students and ‘citizens’

Loes brought her whole family and their partners to the restaurant. They come from all over the country: The Hague, Utrecht, Maastricht, Wageningen. Loes and her parents agree that the atmosphere is good and the location welcoming. They are very curious about the food.

For everyone

Another purpose of the organisation is to bring different Delft residents together, in particular students and ‘citizens’. Ellen Thomas, PR Coordinator of the Happietaria management team: “We want this project to be broad in Delft. It is for everyone.”

This is why there is a social table every Wednesday. While there is not yet much demand, the Chair Stefan Haveman, sees a need for it. “One man of 70 has signed up for every week. And he will also come and help us voluntarily eight times!”

The kitchen is encircled by glass. Inside, students are hard at work flipping hamburgers and arranging plates. To hear more about the menu, we are directed to Jonathan Bondt, the kitchen coordinator. He used to work in the hospitality sector, but in serving rather than in the kitchen. “Luckily we are working with a committee that has a lot of experience in cooking for large groups.”

“For me, the most special dish is the Happie Smashburger. It is made with the beef from my father’s cows,” says Jonathan proudly.

Stunt Foundation

The restaurant is located on the Stunt Foundation’s premises. This is a social organisation that offers on-the-job learning programmes. The students could get some space amid a screen printing area, a sewing workshop, and a bicycle repair area. During the day it is a lunchroom and at the end of the day it is converted into Happietaria.

“The location complements our initiative well,” says Alicia van Zeijl, legal and kitchen coordinator, “they have all kinds of hip social projects here, like upcycling furniture. Just like Stunt, we too try to connect people. Apart from that, the location is easy to reach. It is within walking distance of the Delft Campus station and there are parking places right in front.”

Next to studying

The Tearfund charity approached the Christian student associations in July of last year to restart Happietaria again. “That planted the first seed,” says Alicia. “I already knew the De Hartige Samaritaan, a similar project that welcomes refugees. I thought it would be enjoyable to do something like this.”

Most of the students who are involved in Happietaria do so on top of their studies. “It is busy,” says Ellen. “We work four days a week for the restaurant for a month.”

Alicia: “But it is worth it. You can’t normally just set up a restaurant and now you can. It’s great. We would love to make this a returning project. So we will do our very best to find successors that can organise it next year.”