You have to have eggs, at that point stop

you have referred to your earlier Restaurant Oud Sluis also as a Monster.
It was one, believe me!

you have three "Michelin"stars and never given a 20 out of 20 possible points in the "Gault Millau". Why close a place like this?
of Course you have to have eggs, at that point stop. But I feel so good today like never before. I have time for my family, can go out with my friends drinking a beer. If I want to, I go to a football game or a concert. Before that, I stand every day for 25 years in the kitchen. It was not the only reason to close. In the end it was play a little Football on a field that is too small – I came.

Dreams from the Monster?
again and again, even after five years. But there are no nightmares, if that's what you mean.

What made you famous? The reputation of Oud Sluis or the fact that they have closed a well-known Locally?
I do not know, you can't separate the two things.

in the Meantime, you forward fries Studio, a chain that offers French fries. How to succeed in this perfectly?
Everyone loves French fries – but also in Belgium, where they are known to have been invented, the atmosphere in the snack stalls are not always too inviting. What we do better: We also offer friendly staff, nice interior, good music. This is all part of the enjoyment. And we work without the use of preservatives. Atelier fries is one of the most exciting projects I've ever tackled.

exciting way, you are not talking about the atmosphere, about the potato quality or the preparation.
What kind of potatoes we use, which Oil, which belonged of course to the two years of preparatory work. And it was important for me that the potatoes come from the Dutch Region of Zeeland. Of course, we have also optimized the cooking process, we use a three-stage frying process.

"I just try as close as possible to the perfection get to you."

And the Mayonnaise?
The five different mayonnaise variations on the fries Studio I have formulated myself. Eat it but also many guests of Ketchup to the French fries.

you're known as a perfectionist. But there are people who say that a perfect face or a perfect sculpture is boring. The same thing happens when you eat?
What I do is never perfect. I just try as close as possible to the perfection to get. This is what drives me, this makes me sometimes for my environment unbearable. Only when I would reach the perfection, it would be – I admit it – maybe boring.

you the perfection come closer every day?
Every day is different, every day is a challenge. You tried again and again, to its Maximum. Degree today, with all the allergies and intolerances has become my profession a Challenge. The kitchen team constantly changes. Some employees have incredible Talent, others work very hard. There is not always only people like Messi and Ramos in the team.

But at the beginning of the game, it is always possible to beat even Real Madrid . . .
Exactly. You just have to believe in it.

you are a specialist for the Stop. What do you say to a professional colleague, and continue cooking until they are 65, even if you have exceeded the Zenith long ago?
Everyone must know for himself when he wants to end his career. But you are right: a Lot of cooking, not least for your own Ego . . . Again, the comparison with football is Forever, you can't play at the highest level.

what team are you?
I am Dutch and live in Belgium. In Belgium, I support Bruges, in the Netherlands Ajax Amsterdam.

a few brief questions about the Stop. When should you stop eating?
If it tastes good, it tastes good. I am now of the opinion that you should eat after nine o'clock in the evening, nothing more.

How to end a meal – with booze or coffee?
Either you some cheese. Or a Coupe Denmark, the greatest Dessert in the world.

when is it sensible to stop drinking?
If I have to think of the next day, because it is, strictly, not, it is probably not the right night to drink a lot of alcohol.

The perfect Moment, to leave a Party?
When a Festival starts, I'm the Houdini of departure, as it is with us. Only with close friends I'll stay longer.

And when should one stop an Interview perfectly?
Now.

(Sunday newspaper)

Created: 27.01.2019, 20:10 PM