About Us

A Few Words

About Us

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.

Chef Olav is the gentle giant with over 20 years of leadership experience in the hotel/restaurant & commercial security industries. Lisa is the seasoned producer, hostess with the mostest & project manager. Together, we are a force in the kitchen thanks to a firm belief that an instinct for flavor is a superpower, and food is a universal love language.

Our extensive personal travels and experiences with a wide range of loyal clients–from everyday people to high-ranking officials and celebrities– are all part of the signature sauce we brew to provide our clients with tasty, memorable meals that feature our spin on the island’s diverse range of cuisines.

We Bring

The fancy, without the fuss.

Our plates combine a delightful balance of picture-worthy fine dining with down home, mouth watering, belly-rubbing eats. No tweezers, foam sauces or micro-portions. Just beautifully plated food to satisfy both your eyes AND your hunger.

We Shop

Local.

To show love to this beautiful island that has welcomed us to call it home, we are committed to highlighting seasonal ingredients from the Caribbean region and using local vendors as much as possible to source our produce and supplies.

We Have

The range.

Whether you are a carnivore, pescatarian, plant-based, gluten-free (or beyond…) we are skilled at crafting delicious dishes to suit a variety of dietary preferences. Whatever you’re craving, we can provide. No appetite left behind!

We Are

Team Gezellig.

Most of all, we are Team Gezellig, the untranslatable Dutch word for that special vibe when a get-together with folks you enjoy is the perfect balance of relaxed, cozy and fun. We aim to bring not only great food to your table, but a great feeling.

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Happy Customers

What people say about us

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.{

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