World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Blanche Vinke, face of De Kromme Watergang, dies
Blanche Vinke has died aged 57, her children Tom and Evie announced on social media.
She was the longtime host and public face of De Kromme Watergang, a restaurant in Slijkplaat, near Hoofdplaat in Zeeland.
Vinke had Kahler disease, a rare form of bone marrow cancer.
An immune treatment to extend her life was needed abroad because it was not covered in the Netherlands.
A benefit evening raised more than €500,000 for her treatment.
Vinke and her husband Edwin opened the restaurant in 1993; their son Tom took over the kitchen and earned a Michelin star in 2024, while daughter Evie manages the business.
Blanche Vinke, longtime host and public face of De Kromme Watergang, has died aged 57.
Her children Tom and Evie announced her death on social media.
Vinke had Kahler disease, a rare form of bone marrow cancer, and needed immunotherapy abroad to extend her life.
A benefit event raised more than €500,000 for her treatment.
She and her husband Edwin opened De Kromme Watergang in 1993 in Slijkplaat, near Hoofdplaat.
- Who
- Blanche Vinke, longtime host and public face of De Kromme Watergang, has died aged 57.
- What
- Her children announced her death on social media.
- When
- 26 October 2026. The sources do not state when she died.
- Where
- De Kromme Watergang is in Slijkplaat, near Hoofdplaat, in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.
- Why
- She had Kahler disease, a rare form of bone marrow cancer.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Blanche and Edwin Vinke opened De Kromme Watergang in Slijkplaat.
The restaurant received its second Michelin star.
Their son Tom Vinke earned his first Michelin star.
A benefit event at the PSV stadium raised more than €500,000 for Blanche Vinke’s treatment.
Her children Tom and Evie announced her death on social media.
- Age
- 57
- Restaurant
- De Kromme Watergang, Slijkplaat
- Opened
- 1993
- Illness
- Kahler disease, a rare form of bone marrow cancer
- Benefit total
- More than €500,000
- Family
- Children Tom and Evie Vinke
3 sources
What people are saying
Dear mom, if we ever become as strong as you. Then we have nothing to worry about. I will miss you terribly.