If you’re always chasing more, when do you pause to notice what’s already here?
Dertien Essentials is dedicated to simplifying the art of cooking and embracing a slower pace of life.
Because a meal is never just a meal.
It’s a memory. A moment.
Your moment.
Welcome to the greatest food romance of my life!
Here you’ll find vintage products, stories and recipes, all with one purpose: to truly enjoy the simple act of being around food.
Tableware, textiles and accessories that turn your dining space into a place of calm and intention.
Experiences, inspiration and recipes straight from the Italian countryside filled with timeless kitchen traditions.
Visual guides filled with insights and tips about the most iconic ingredients of the Italian kitchen.
Hi! My name is Nikki
There was a time when I lived mostly from my head. Always busy, always moving forward. But chasing my ambitions more often made the connection with myself less. And living with my head in the future made today invisible.
Deep down, my true desire was something else: a slower life. More intentional. More rooted in the everyday moments that actually matter.
That’s why I started Dertien Essentials. A place for honest products, real food and genuine feelings. Because I know what it’s like to lose yourself in (unwritten) rules. And what it’s like to long for a pause, without knowing how.
Dertien was born out of personal experience and a longing for health, connection and honesty. I’ll introduce you to all kinds of products that truly deserve a spot in your kitchen and tell you why.
FAQ
Is Dertien a food platform or a webshop?
Both. And a little more.
Here you’ll find products, stories and recipes all with one simple goal: to enjoy the moments around food. My recipes are made for health and happiness. Back to basics. Real, natural ingredients. Food that looks, tastes and smells like… well, food.
No jars, no packets, no sachets. Everything unprocessed, everything homemade. With Dertien you step back into the kitchen. Not for ready-made shortcuts, but for the joy of creating your own meal. Simple to make, few ingredients, full of flavor.
Where do the recipes come from?
Short answer: my own kitchen.
Long version of the story? I’m a nutritionist and I create, share and cook from both knowledge and personal experience. I make my own recipes and I take inspiration from existing recipes and give them my own twist. Whenever I use an existing recipe, I make sure to acknowledge the original and credit the person behind it.
We all learn cooking in our own way. From our mothers, our grandfathers, a holiday abroad or a happy accident at home. These moments shape your taste, the ingredients shape your style. But taste and style are not fixed; they move along with the rhythm of your life.
The recipes from Dertien ✦ The Honest Kitchen are not rules. They’re directions. Suggestions. For me, food is something honest and pure. A here-and-now moment. Entirely yours. Because nobody tastes what you taste.
My recipes are not another way to control your food, your body, your life.
They’re a way to give it back.
To yourself.
Why is your tableware worth a seat at my table?
Because it’s never just tableware.
Every piece in my collection has a story. Some are vintage, carrying traces of long family gatherings. Others are handmade, sometimes even by me. And yes, occasionally I add a small batch of new items, but never mass-produced or made for fast consumption.
I love tableware, interiors and food, but not at the cost of people or our planet. That’s why you won’t find fast or seasonal collections here. Items stay for as long as they’re around. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Quality over quantity. Meaning over hype.
I also try to keep things close to home. Instead of shipping products halfway across the world, I look for makers and sustainable options within Europe with a soft spot (no surprise) for Italy.
So yes, this tableware is worth a seat at your table. Because it brings presence, story and a little honesty to every meal.
Why are The Honest Guides digital?
The Honest Guides are Visual e-magazines filled with insights and tips about the most iconic ingredients of the Italian kitchen. Showing you honest, practical knowledge to elevate your food
Sure, I’d love to see them in print one day and o yes, I secretly dream about publishing an Honest Kitchen magazine. But that’s long-term thinking.
For now, they live best as digital guides because they’re made to be used, not shelved.
Instant to download, easy to keep on hand in your kitchen and always up-to-date. Buy once, and whenever I update a guide, you’ll automatically get the new version too.
What are your delivery times and shipping costs?
Dertien is a small and sustainable business. Also when it comes to logistics. That means I ship just once a week, every Wednesday, and exclusively within the European Union.
Shipping costs depend on your location and the size of your order. You’ll see the exact costs clearly at checkout.
- Netherlands
€0.00 – €34.99 → €5
€75.00 and up → free shipping - Italy (EU Zone 5)
€0.00 – €39.99 → €7
€40.00 and up → free shipping
As soon as your package leaves my shop, you’ll receive a Track & Trace code by email so you can follow it all the way to your doorstep.
What are the payment methods?
You can pay safely and easily using the most common methods:
✦ iDeal
✦ PayPal
✦ Credit card (Mastercard / Visa)
Simple, secure and straightforward.