Interview with Maarten-Jan Meyer zu Schlochtern (Amsterdam Spotter)

Today an interview with Maarten-Jan Meyer zu Schlochtern, Spotter for our Amsterdam cityblog. Maarten-Jan has a special place in our heart, because he’s the very first Spotter. On the day we started looking for Amsterdam locals for our first cityblog in 2008 he sent us an e-mail with the words “Yes, I want to be a Spotter”…

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Maarten-Jan. I’am a real foodie, love to visit nice restaurants, cafés and other inspiring places with jazz music (unfortunately not so many in Amsterdam). I like to write about food and drinks, specially wines.

Cooking is one of my favorite things to do and then entertain my guests with it. It makes me a very social animal! Recently married (2nd time) in France with my dearest Astrid and the father of two sons, who are having the same scope of interests, how is that possible?

Living in the centre of Amsterdam, near the Heineken brewery. Spotting the nicest places is not the only thing I’am doing. I have my own business in Team Coaching, Personal Coaching and I use the cooking as an instrument for coaching. This is an idea, which I developed myself into a working concept and I love it. Further I like to travel a lot Asia, Spain, Italy and on the edge of discovering Africa. Next to that I also advice companies on Food & Beverage.

How do you like being a Spotter?
I love to be a Spotter, but I don’t make a big deal out of it, I mean to say the places I spot have to have good food, service and a nice entourage.

Do you have a nice Spotters-story?
In the beginning when I started as a Spotter I mixed up the stories with the wrong photo’s, because I did a lot of spotting per week, because I liked these places and I was in competition with the other Spotters that was what I thought. So I had to check all the places again. Funny?! Stupid?!

Why Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is the best, I Amsterdam! The Must; Paradiso with a jazz concert!

Not to visit; the Kattenboot!

Which prejudices about Amsterdam are true?
Amsterdam is a free city!

Which ones are not?
Amsterdam is not an drugs, hooligans and dirty city!

What do you know about Amsterdam what no tourist will know?
I know these places, where you can have a good meal in a personal atmosphere ask me: info@chilipepper.nl

What is the most popular neighborhood to live in Amsterdam at this moment?
Amsterdam Oud Zuid, because it has everything you want in a city, you can eat, smoke, dance, visit museum etc.

Can you describe a perfect day in your city?
The Queens birthday, 30th april on a boat in the canals, and dinner at Incanto

Is there something else you want to share?
Come to Amsterdam and become inspirited!

Check out all Maarten-Jan’s articles and the other interviews with our Spotters

Last Changed Date: 2016-05-19 11:45:13 +0200 (Thu, 19 May 2016)