THE KITCHEN

The Kitchen is a creative community founded by Jamie de Groot. He offers creative workshops, classes, and events in Leiden that reconnect people to a playful, open-minded way of experiencing and engaging with life.

In Leiden, he aims to introduce new forms of movement and creativity that spark curiosity and challenge people to see things from a fresh perspective — or to dive deeper into the history of specific styles. Through The Kitchen, he creates space for people to learn and experiment at their own pace. His vision is to make the city a little rawer, bolder, more adventurous, and more playful, while building a close-knit community supported by both the people of the city and the organization behind The Kitchen. Below are the projects The Kitchen is currently focusing on:

Rhythm Rollerskating

• Weekly classes
• Bookable workshops for ages 12+ and up
• Skate tours
• Roller discos + workshops by international skaters

Urban & Afro Dance

• 4-week courses with national and international teachers
• Workshop days from 16+ and up
• Clubbing events: dance parties inspired by the 1980s club scene — offline celebrations

Primal Movement

• Weekly classes

• Bookable workshops for ages 8+ and up

• Rewilding Days: a full-day immersion including a workshop, fire cooking, and outdoor wellness, all in nature

why the name the kitchen?

jAMIE: i WANTED TO HAVE A NAME FOR THE FEELING I HAVE OF SHARING STORIES, CREATIVITY AND BRINGING NEW IDEAS TO THE TABLE. I WAS RAISED IN AN OPEN CREATIVE FAMILY. I LEARED THE WAYS TO CELEBRATE LIVE AND SHARING NICE EVENINGS WITH GOOD FOOD AND LOVING PEOPLE, THE KITCHEN BECAME THE PLACE OR THE STARTING POINT OF CONNECTION, ENJOYMENT AND PLEASURE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT EVERY PARTY I WENT TO ALWAYS ENDED UP IN THE KITCHEN. THE MOST DEEP STORIES OR IDEAS WERE DISCUSSED IN THAT SPECIFIC AREA OF A HOUSE. tHE KITCHEN BECAME THE PLACE WHAT MAKES US HUMAN AND BRINGS US TOGETHER. WHAT NEW TASTES ARE MADE IN THE KITCHEN AND WHAT CAN WE COOK?