The One Love Ingredient

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Our Story

Hello from Chef Olav & Lisa, the happy couple behind The One Love Ingredient!

For 10 years, we have run our popular Caribbean personal chef business, catering to seaside vacation home guests and local foodies in Curaçao and St. Maarten.

An expat couple who fell in love thanks to our adventures abroad (and a certain epic coconut shrimp curry) The One Love Ingredient combines our shared passion for cooking and entertaining, delivered with the warm hospitality and style we bring to the table in our own home.

Private Chef Service

Serving St. Maarten & St. Barth
Vacation Villa | Personal Residence | Yacht/Boat | Private Venue

Are you staying in a beautiful vacation home and want to enjoy the luxury of eating out while staying in? Or perhaps you’d like to entertain friends or family in a more private setting without having one foot in the kitchen? Whether it’s for a dinner party, special occasion or just to make an ordinary day extraordinary, The One Love Ingredient has you covered!

We offer in-home personal chef service for parties of up to 24, and welcome guests who are local to the island or tourists enjoying a paradise getaway. Choose table service or have us lay out a family style feast.

Our food style is world fusion, inspired by over a decade of life in the Caribbean, travels to Asia, Africa and Latin America, and our home countries of the Netherlands and the USA. Our delicious, vibrant meals are made from fresh, seasonal produce and prepared with love.

Please book a minimum of 48 hours in advance.

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Let’s Eat!

Our Menu

 
All Items
  • All Items
  • Big Plates
  • Small Plates
  • Soups
  • Salads
  • Plant-Based
  • Family Style
  • Sides
  • Sweets

Surf & Turf

  • Beef tenderloin with a garlic shrimp crown in white wine garlic butter

Crispy Tuna 🍃

  • Seared with sesame seeds served with tempura leek
  • bok choy & portobello mushroom with wasabi glaze

Red Snapper Fillet

  • Topped with krioyo sauce over a bed of butternut squash puree and tangy sauteed greens

Gorgonzola Pasta with Garlic Spinach🍃

  • Tagliatelle pasta with gorgonzola sauce
  • baby spinach
  • bacon crumbles and a choice of grilled tenderloin
  • chicken or portobello mushroom

BBQ Spare Ribs

  • Served with coleslaw and baked potato

Picadillo 🍃

  • Spiced ground beef or poultry with raisins & olives in mojo sauce and served with fried plantains & avocado

Island Shrimp & Grits

  • Jumbo shrimp with Creole sauce over creamy polenta with coconut milk

Teriyaki Chicken

  • Served with sesame stir fried vegetables
  • bean sprouts and rice

🍃= vegetarian/vegan option available.
Please contact us for customized menu options.

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Happy Customers

What people say about us

 

Keisha G, United States

We had the absolute pleasure of having Chef Olav cater two brunches for our group of 12 during our stay in St. Martin, and it was an unforgettable highlight of our trip. From the start, Chef Olav impressed us with his willingness to personalize every detail of our menu. He took great care to accommodate a variety of food allergies (2 of us with shellfish allergies and one with specific fruit allergy) and dietary preferences (no pork) within our group—all without ever compromising on flavor or presentation. Every dish was thoughtful, delicious, and beautifully prepared. What truly stood out was how passionately he cooks. You can taste the love and creativity in every bite. His omelets, for example, were a standout—made-to-order for each person with the freshest ingredients and cooked to perfection. And that’s just one example of the many touches that made these brunches feel truly special and customized. Beyond the food, Chef Olav’s energy and presence added so much to our experience. He brought a cheerful, warm vibe to our villa that felt like having a longtime friend in the kitchen. At the same time, he was incredibly professional and prompt, and he left the kitchen absolutely spotless—a detail that did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. If you’re looking for an elevated private dining experience in St. Martin that combines culinary excellence with genuine hospitality, look no further than Chef Olav. We’re already dreaming of our next meal with him!

Denny C, United States

We stayed in SXM for 5 days and the food was outstanding. The service was second to none. Great experience. Than you Olav!

Lynelle R, United States

Chef Olav and his wonderful assistants took great care of our group of 8 while we were on a week-long vacation in St Maarten. The food and presentation were phenomenal, and everyone was personable and easygoing. I highly recommend this service to take your vacation up a notch!

Devona G, United States

We visited St. Maarten to celebrate a friend’s wedding anniversary and hired Olav based on his outstanding reviews. While it’s always a bit of a risk hiring someone without a personal referral, we were absolutely not disappointed. The menu was planned in advance, but Olav was flexible and willing to make adjustments based on our dietary needs. I limit my dairy intake, so he brought oat milk just for me. I also avoid pork, and while turkey sausage and bacon were available, Olav went above and beyond by making fresh chicken sausage at my request. He arrived on time each day and had meals ready within an hour. Every evening, he beautifully set the table for dinner and thoroughly cleaned the kitchen after each meal. Olav is incredibly personable and attentive, making sure each guest was satisfied and accommodated. Every meal was a party for the palate—delicious, fresh, and thoughtfully prepared. I highly recommend his services. A perfect 10 out of 10!

Stephen D, United States

5 stars. Very accommodating. The food was prepared and served on time. Everything taste good. I would recommend if you are in Sint Marteen. Well done chef. You enhanced the experience.

Rachel, California

Our vacation to Curacao included 12 adults (2 vegans, 4 vegetarians, and other strong opinions on food). Olaf served all of us absolutely amazing 3-course dinners for the week we were there. Every course of every day was more fabulous than the one before. He was able to personalize and cater towards everyone’s likes and dislikes, while also creating a unique flavor profile that was a fusion of so many countries. I’m not kidding when I say even a simple cooked spinach dish was the best spinach anyone ever had, and was requested again! He got all the ingredients fresh every day, and was able to cook every meal in our tiny kitchen without any complaint (even though it meant he had to do 3 rounds of washing dishes with each meal). He was also extremely personable and got along well with everyone in the group. He made our vacation so memorable, we didn’t have to fight to figure out where to eat or try to find a restaurant that could serve all 12 of us. We still talk about his meals to this day. We miss him and would happily have him again. We can’t recommend Chef Olav enough!

Victoria, Oakville Ontario

Thank you!!! Chef Olav and Lisa heightened our experience ten-fold. We had a group of 15 adults on a strict week-long vegetarian and vegan diet for our corporate yoga/wellness retreat in St. Maarten. The food was absolutely delicious from the first bite to the last morsel – we were licking our plates clean! They both went above and beyond to ensure that our meals were on time and adjusted to our schedule changes with ease, including taking their personal time to bring us some spice jars and water. Their plant-forward and blue zone inspired meals were a hit with everyone and expanded our knowledge and understanding that food doesn’t need to be bland to be good for you! They understood our unique requirements and none of the carnivores missed meat for a second. Most of the meals were vegan which made our strict vegan guest feel included and welcome which was very much appreciated! It also inspired the rest of the team to be more plant-forward. The unique combination of local flavours and Dutch-inspired dishes (please more apple pancakes and creole sauce!) are still a topic of conversation with our group as we have sub-par attempts to recreate them. The food was bridled only by the amazing company of this couple. They are truly beautiful souls and became part of our extended work family and will be lifelong friends and inspirations to all of us. We were so happy for Lisa to join in our sessions and provide additional insight and wisdom! Jaya to the Chefs – thank you so much for an incredible week!

Jessica, New York

Our experience with Chef Olav was fantastic. He combines unexpected flavors into combinations that are sure to be enjoyed by all. From the family style breakfasts, delicious lunches, and beautifully plated dinners and desserts, his creativity and unique “world fusion” is evident in his cooking. A favorite item of mine was the coconut polenta with creole sauce, and the vanilla ice cream served in a quarter of a pineapple shell with fresh chocolate shavings on top. Highly recommend!

Amy, United States

Chef Olav is amazing! We can reliably say our vacation would not have been nearly as wonderful without Chef Olav. He and his lovely assistant, Jeadralica, make a wonderful team. Chef Olav‘s cooking is delicious and top notch while his personality and work ethic are equally incredible.  He got to know our large family within a day of being there and quickly learned our disparate likes and dislikes. He made us feel comfortable and truly happy with every single meal. We recommend Chef Olav highly!

Bryson, United States

“For two days, we had a chef who consisted of a mix of compassion, humor and elegant cooking. His name is Chef Olav. All of his meals brought something new to the table and my taste buds. From Dutch apple bacon pancakes to tuna carpaccio, every meal was a wonderful experience. The place setting was elegant, but not overwhelming in the slightest. Please check him out and ask him to cook for you. I promise that you will not regret your decision. Thank you Chef Olav for all you did for me and my family!{

Kevin Rudd, United States

“Olav and Mike are the best charter guys in the Caribbean. We did a 12 person cruise around St Martin and they absolutely crushed it. Food was great, beers were flowing, vibes were high.{

Bertrand De France Peters, St. Martin

“We really appreciate your private chef services, Chef Olav! You are reliable, as timing plays a huge roll for catering events and your meals are so tasty, that it keeps our mouths watering for more. We look forward to many more lovely events with you and also recommend you to the rest of St. Martin & the world.{

Keely Scott, US Virgin Islands

“Thank you Chef Olav! We had a wonderful time in St. Martin and your provisioning and ready-made snacks were a welcome addition to our trip. It allowed us to start our vacation right away.  And as always, your New Year’s Day brunch was delicious. It was such a treat!.{

John & Elisabeth Granqvist, Vancouver

“Chef Lisa provided a wonderful meal for us combining a cornucopia of a seafood bisque and a properly cooked and seasoned local fish with local dishes.  Her delightful and charming personality added much to the evening. Best wishes to you and indeed we may connect again one of these days.{

Ernest Sams, St. Maarten

“Let me start by saying that the culinary experience provided by this chef Olav Knol was exquisite. His cooking for an evening with my friends, my wife, and me created a charming atmosphere that set the stage for an unforgettable evening. Olav’s passion for food was evident in every dish served. Each course was a work of art, perfectly plated and flavorful. The use of fresh, high-quality ingredients was apparent in every bite, and the attention to detail was second to none. The standout main course: pumpkin and coconut milk mash with Faro, stir-fried veggies, and a tuna steak battered in sesame seeds accompanied by a delicious soy wasabi sauce, should be awarded a prize for excellence in taste. The perfectly steamed shrimp dumpling soup with bok choy and mushrooms in a vegetable broth out of lemon grass, ginger, onion, cilantro, and other herbs was another of his highlights. Olav’s creativity and innovation shone through in every dish. The menu was diverse, and every course was a unique experience. The chef’s ability to blend different flavors and textures unexpectedly was awe-inspiring. But what made the experience special was Olav’s personal touch to the meal. He took the time to explain each of the different courses, and it was clear that he genuinely cared about providing a memorable dining experience. Overall, I can confidently say that Olav Knol is one of the best I have had the pleasure of dining with. The culinary expertise, passion for food, and attention to detail all created an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend this chef to anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience..{

Tyrone Traylor and David Stella, United States

“We have had the pleasure of experiencing Chef Olav’s creative cooking and hospitable presentation on several occasions. The consistency of quality is impressive. Chef has even converted a non-seafood eater into a fan of Tuna Tatarte! We look forward to enjoying his culinary skills again sooner rather than later.{

Let’s Create a Great Experience

Give Us a Call

 

Mon to Thu 10:00 – 22:00 | Fri to Sun 11:00 – 23:00

+1 (721) 526-9686