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Prettig zakendoen met… Erik van Loo

In "Pleasant Business with..." MASTERS will talk to a prominent entrepreneur each week. Because, how do you do business pleasantly? Erik van Loo was born in South Limburg, where he grew up as a butcher's son in the village of Mechelen. After gaining experience at home and abroad, Erik started his own restaurant in Wijk bij Duurstede, "Restaurant Duurstede," where he cooked his first Michelin star. With a wonderful career he is now Patron Cuisinier for 13 years and since 2006 owner of Restaurant Parkheuvel, awarded with two Michelin stars. At MASTERS EXPO, van Loo cooked at the pop-up star restaurant M*, where in five days a total of 26 top chefs provided 42 Michelin stars.Text: Tamara GijrathWhattypifies an entrepreneur?
"Those are four key words: search, find, improve and sell. In your brain you are constantly searching and that you want to do it as well as possible is in your DNA. Then to market it is the coolest thing there is."

Where did you ever close your best deal?
"Right here in our own restaurant, when we bought the property. The place is definitely important in closing a deal. When people feel comfortable things go easier. In our restaurant, a lot of people have made good deals. Once the wine is ordered, we know the deal is done."

Digital. Friend or foe?
"Just make friends with it, because without it, you're nowhere. I'm certainly not a digital hero, but I do subscribe to it. As an entrepreneur, you have to go along with it, otherwise you'll fall behind and sell yourself short. "What do you do on an off-day?
"Not much, except exercise with my personal trainer. But I'm actually always positive. Of course sometimes your energy level is a little less, but I'm here with about twenty-four people, if I keep my head down it only gives others a free pass."

How do you drink your coffee?
"Black. My favorite is Nespresso Congo. This exclusive coffee has little acid in it and is only made for seven months of the year. Expensive, but so delicious."

Fine place for a good conversation?
"On a bench here in the park, overlooking the Euromast."

Watch?
"Christaan van der Klaauw and IWC. But I prefer to wear the Van der Klaauw because of its emotional value; it is my wife's twenty-fifth wedding anniversary present."

Car?
"An Audi Q8."

What is your favorite business suit?
"My chef's coat."

What do you always have with you?
"My phone. Everything is in it. I'm still old school, so I always respond to all my messages right away. I like that."

What's always on your desk?
"A bottle of water."

Which entrepreneur would you like to have lunch with sometime?
"If you are going to have lunch then, you should have a pleasant afternoon right away. So then preferably with Michel Peridon. With him you can have a good laugh."

What is your golden entrepreneurial tip?
"Your gut always wins."