Sammy & Pebbles of the Frietboutique

In 2012, both Sammy and Pebbles were working at Blue Marlin on Ibiza. Sammy came from Soest, Pebbles from Rotterdam, and the two became friends on the island. On returning home, both decided to move to Amsterdam, where a year later they founded the charming IJsboutique on Cornelis Schuytstraat. And although it took off straight away and they sold ice creams like mad through the summer months, something had to be devised for the winter too. And so the Frietboutique came about. As the pair sell ice creams non-stop on this sunny day, we grab a moment with Sammy Berendsen (34) and Pebbles van Noorden (34).

From Blue Marlin to the Frietboutique. What exactly does the boutique offer?

Sammy: “The Frietboutique is a welcoming spot where everyone from the neighbourhood comes together to enjoy a favourite ice cream or portion of chips over a drink and some good music. And these aren’t just any chips: we use sustainable Agria potatoes from a farmer in Zeeland, which we wash, hand-cut and pre-fry ourselves. That way we know they reach your plate crisp on the outside and soft within.”
Pebbles: “But we also sell milkshakes, which we make from our ice cream, coffees, cheese soufflés and various kinds of croquettes.”

Friet? Not patat?

Pebbles: “Hahaha, we absolutely love this debate. For us it’s friet, because let’s be honest, that sounds so much tastier than patat, doesn’t it?”

What are your favourite chips?

Sammy: “Frietje oorlog with onion. I couldn’t go a week without it.”

Pebbles: “Frietje oorlog without onion, but with truffle mayonnaise instead of ordinary mayonnaise.”

Where can we find you?

Sammy: “Like Babassu, we have four shops: on Witte de Wittestraat in Rotterdam, the Lusthof in Kralingen, de bes in Hillegersberg and Cornelis Schuytstraat in Amsterdam, where we began. Alongside our homemade ice cream (in Hillegersberg) and chips, we also supply our chips to the hospitality trade. That way we take the hassle off restaurant chefs, who then have fresh spuds on their tables every day without any fuss. You’ll also find us on the menus of countless top restaurants across the Netherlands.”

How do you know Babassu?

Pebbles: “I’m based at the Rotterdam boutique now, but when I still worked in Amsterdam I’d pop in every day. Sometimes simply to spritz on a little fragrance, because I had a meeting and didn’t want anyone to notice I’d just stepped out of the fryer. And whenever Sammy and I had to be photographed, Babassu helped us with a natural make-up look. Now that I live in Rotterdam I order the products by Natura Bissé and Perricone MD online, but I still buy my gifts in the shop. Whenever we’re invited to a restaurant opening, we always pick up a set of hand soap and lotion by Molton Brown. It looks lovely anywhere and is a gift people can genuinely use.”

Sammy: “I know Babassu from the street. It’s always incredibly busy at our place, so roughly every six weeks I book the Vitamine C Boost facial by Natura Bissé. The moment you step into Babassu it’s so serene, quiet and relaxed that I feel completely restored. And it always smells wonderful. Babassu is so fresh and clean, and everyone is so kind: it’s a bit like Alice in Wonderland! Sometimes I even feel too grubby to step inside.”

What do you love about this treatment?

Sammy: “I have pigmentation spots, so I wear an SPF every day, even in winter. Since you can’t prevent the spots entirely, I book the treatment. I love the C+C Vitamin products so much. They feel wonderful and give a really lovely glow. Sometimes I also buy the Diamond Cocoon to hydrate my skin. And because I worry my skin will grow too used to one product, every now and then I switch to Perricone MD.”

How do you find inspiration?

Pebbles: “Sammy and I have agreed to go back to Ibiza together every year. It’s where we really catch up, and we always order an enormous number of puddings. Not only because we’re so fond of sweet things, but also to dream up new flavours.”

Sammy: “We also draw inspiration from the chefs around us, such as the chef at Ron Blaauw. And Bas Brouns regularly comes to us with requests for Asian flavours.”

Do you always agree with each other?

Sammy: “Haha, no, definitely not. But it’s give and take, and I know that Pebbles, like me, wants the very best for our business. That’s why I trust her 1000%.”
Pebbles: “I think that by nature we’re both very steady, easy-going women who trust each other 100%. That’s the foundation of our friendship and partnership.”

What is your beauty secret?

Sammy: “A serum every night before bed, and an SPF during the day (even in winter).”Pebbles: “Don’t forget to cleanse in the evening and to book a facial every six weeks.”