What is the best thing that I love about my work? First of all: I am professionally being me. The best ‘job’ ever! As Chef/Catering business owner: It will never get boring to create nutritious, delicious dishes with all those beautiful flavors, scents, shapes, colors and textures out there. Food is nourishment and the last thing I would cut my budget on. Sharing food-culture, inspiring others not to take food for granted and being the reason for all those yummy noises people make when they eat good food is very satisfying.
As a Copywriter: Helping people/companies/brands to understand better WHY they do what they do and how to communicate that to their customers in the most authentic, transparent and compelling way is very satisfying.
As a musician/producer (still just a passion, but hopefully also work in the future): Freedom of expression is very satisfying.

What is my idea of perfect happiness? That I can do it MY way, whatever IT may be.

What is my greatest fear? I’m not a fearful person in general and I appear to be a incurable optimist. My mind automatically thinks out of love instead of fear (and those are the only two options to think and act from). Worrying is just fantasizing into the
wrong direction. Perhaps this fearless attitude of mine makes me a bit too naive in some situations, there’s a good chance that his will happen, but at least I’m not afraid of it. And remember what Yoda said: “fear leads to hate, hate leads to anger, anger leads to suffering.”

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? I’m egocentric. Always focused on my own personal growth/development and therefore I am usually not paying enough interest in others, unless a person is immediately inspiring and captivating to me. Being egocentric also makes me more of a spectator and observer instead of a participator of society. The advantage of being so busy with my own development is that I don’t have any time left for criticizing others (every disadvantage has it’s advantage and vice versa). Which is good, because I don’t like to look up or down on others. We’re all variations
on each other.

What is my biggest pitfall? Being too much of a control freak and wanting to do everything myself.

On what occasion would I lie? In a (with Jack Nicholson voice) “You can’t handle the truth!” moment and when pain, grieve, sorrow or incomprehension can better be avoided.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?
As a Chef/Catering business owner: René Redzepi and Jiro Ono.
As a Musician/Producer: Madlib, MF DOOM, Jacob Collier and Jay K.
As a copywriter: Simon Sinek, Seth Godin and Garry Vaynerchuck.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
As a Chef/Catering business owner: The tremendous amount of logistics. Long working hours. Dealing with people who take food for granted or think of it as a necessary evil. Yelp reviewers.
As a copywriter: That I’m usually ‘selling’ soulless products that the world doesn’t need. Having to look at my fellow human beings as mere consumers and that I’m getting paid to emotionally manipulate people into buying stuff they don’t need.
As a Musician/Producer: That it takes too much time, dedication, talent, practice and knowhow to be able to kick ass. And that the shittiest music get’s all the attention on the radio/television and views on youtube, although that’s not a very objective thing to say, while the greatest musicians on Earth probably all die anonymously.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? That moment where I realized that I can connect my passion and mission (that what I love), my mission and vocation (that what the world needs), my vocation and profession (that which I can be paid for), my profession and passion (that which I am good at) and everything fell into place.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? That it is never too late for a happy childhood! And that I better be doing what I love doing most instead of not
doing it for a good reason.

If I could, what would I change about myself? As long as I find my ways to become a better version of myself I will accept myself just the way I am. Makes me think of the title of a song by Frank Zappa: “I am what I is”.

What is my greatest achievement in work? That I managed to make my work out of my passion(s).

Where would I most like to live and work? Wherever I live and work I’ll make sure the grass is greener on my side. As long as my talents, skills and product are wanted all around me I’ll be happy at any place. Preferably with a tropical climate though.

What is my most treasured possession? My health and consciousness.

What is my greatest extravagance? My liquid identity! The definitions that I define are by definition never definitive.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? I usually don’t get my ideas at a specific place or space (other than underneath the shower). I usually get my ideas
when I find myself in a certain situation, through a feeling or vibe, while getting a new experience or during an exchange of thoughts with another human being that I’ve never met before or known my whole life.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? At venues where they cook with vision, attention, pride and heart. And also somewhere where they don’t make a fuzz about ordering tap water.

What books influenced my life and how? The books that made me fundamentally change the way I think and act were all presenting themselves to me at the
exact right time in my life. The teacher only appears when the student is ready. The list goes on.

Who are my favorite writers? I don’t read a lot of fiction novels so I can’t really think of a favorite author. There too many non-fiction books and authors that I did read to name just one favorite. I can name my favorite podcast channel, which is the Joe Rogan
Experience on You Tube. Joe Rogan’s channel contains almost a thousand podcast by now with an endless variety of fascinating topics and guests. Highly recommended!

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? Just put my ever changing favorite playlist on shuffle play.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Yoda! A very deep understanding of the way of the force he seems to have.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My mother! And anyone who is being him/her better than me being me.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? Groundhog Day (1993)! Arguably the most profound romantic comedy ever produced. It is hilariously funny on
so many levels, with Bill Murray in his best form and a heartwarming story full of wise life lessons. Typically a movie I can watch over and over and over again!

What do the words ‘The Financial Freedom to Create’ mean to me? More than 10 years of my life I have lived in very cheap, temporary, empty spaces in The Netherlands (AntiSquatting Housing). I worked the least as possible, usually only one or two copywriting jobs a month, as long as I had just enough money to survive (the perks of being a freelance copywriter is that the work pays ridiculously well). Therefore I had seas of time for self study and to practice my passions. Always broke, but with a genuine
sense of freedom and happiness. Over the past six years I’m making quite a decent living with my Catering business. It never feels like I’m working, but it does provide me the financial means to create a life with lot’s of breathing space, energy and free
time to create. So, acting out one of my passions affords the other passion (build myself a kick ass home studio to produce music).

What role plays art in my life and work?
“He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” – Francis of Assisi
I strive to do everything with my hands, brain and heart and I’m always on the look out for other people who strive to do the same.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My mother. Although she doesn’t partner in any criminal activities.

Whom would I like to work with in 2017? With passionate, authentic, original and inspired people.

What project, in 2017, am I looking forward to work on? The “Cormet Enjoy the Good Life” project. It’s a collaboration between Cormet (Education Restaurant Owner),
We Canteen (Catering business Agency) and a few independent Catering entrepreneurs like me. We are going to realize a Food-Court Concept at the Universities of Amsterdam (UvA’s). All the Catering businesses will rotate in between several University locations in Amsterdam and sell their own specialties to the students. Thus creating a constant variety of fresh and home-made food right next to the standard assortment of the campus restaurant owner (Cormet). Every Catering business works with their own vision and may create their own menu. From an idealistic point of view we hope to start a small food revolution within the campus of the Universities in Amsterdam.

Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2017? No one in particular. But if someone with great relevance to me does cross my path I’ll make sure to notice
him/her!

Where can you see me or my work in 2017?
As a Chef/Catering business owner: On several Universities in Amsterdam, a variety of Food Festivals and PopUp restaurants.
As a Copywriter: I seldom accept new copywriting jobs. Unless they are coming from people/companies that I personally could vouch for and sell products that the world really needs.
As a Musician/Producer: I quit playing in a band about a year ago. My own productions are to be found on my Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/wanto).

Which creative heroes should Peter invite to tell their story?
Lennart Verstegen: Director. Director Of Photography. Photographer. Beautiful human being. Niels Gerson Lohman: Author. Animation Film maker. Musician. Weirdo in a good way. Simon Berkhout: Tai Chi teacher. Sound Engineer. Musician. Rapper/Singer. Empty vessel and a conscious being.

How can you contact me?
Email: hendrawanto@wanto.nl