Q&A with Roger Bloem
At eighteen, Roger Bloem became the youngest restaurant manager ever at Burger King. From there, he continued into the fast-food world, working as marketing manager for Burger King Netherlands and changing the strategy at Smullers, among other things.
Until he decided he wanted to work for himself. Together with business partner JP, he launched CityGuys in May 2015: an online platform full of food and drink tips in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Which food trend should we put an immediate stop to?
People should above all just be themselves. I actually think everything that’s preachy is fucking annoying. Just let everyone do what makes them feel good.
Most memorable food experience?
In February 2016, The Beef Chief took over Cut Throat Bar for a month. I went there, ordered the kimchi burger, ate it, and then spent minutes shaking my head in disbelief. It was so fucking good. I think I was speechless for about fifteen minutes. Like when you’ve had really good sex and then simply can’t talk for a while afterwards—that feeling. In the ten days that followed, I went back at least five more times. That’s where my love for The Beef Chief was born and grew.
Like when you’ve had really good sex and then simply can’t talk for a while afterwards—that feeling.
Favourite drink?
I’m doing a lot with mezcal at the moment. Really good mezcal should simply be drunk neat. But you can also mix mezcal perfectly well into a cocktail. I recently worked for a few days at cocktail bar Rosalia’s Menagerie in Amsterdam. I organised a mezcal evening there. I served my signature cocktail: the ‘Mezcal Me Maybe?’ with my business card as a garnish. Hahaha. Mezcal has been my favourite drink ever since. Other cocktail shakers in Amsterdam know the drink by now too; they make it with their own number.
Essential kitchen gadget?
I’m never in the kitchen. I literally eat out every day. Oh, wait, I do have an answer! A coffee maker. I’m into filter coffee now, but I also have a Nespresso machine.
What would you never eat again?
I wouldn’t say that so quickly anymore. I used to eat everything, except cheese. There was absolutely no way I would ever eat cheese. But by now I do. I even recently bought a piece of aged goat’s cheese to have with a glass of whiskey. I thought it was delicious. My friends didn’t understand it at all, haha. I’ve eaten pig anus before; that was, well… chewy.. But I’d eat it again. No, there’s actually nothing I really never want to eat again.
Which country is your favourite when it comes to food?
Indonesia. I’m half Indonesian myself. When I’m sick at home, nothing beats good Indonesian food. Toko Kok Kita is my favourite Indonesian restaurant in Amsterdam. But my ultimate favourite Indonesian place is in Alkmaar: Djaya Makmur. My younger brother was recently in Indonesia for six months; he searched there for better Indonesian food than the food at Djaya Makmur. He didn’t find it. That says a lot.
I literally eat out every day.
What should everyone try at least once?
The kimchi burger from The Beef Chief. There’s no better burger in Amsterdam.
What’s the best product from the supermarket?
Coffee. Toilet paper is number two, followed by deodorant and then laundry detergent. Once again, I never cook. Really, never.
What’s still on your food-related wish list?
I’d rather be surprised than have very high expectations of somewhere. So no three-star restaurants on my list. Lots of wonderful surprises—that’s what’s on my wish list.
Which cookbook should everyone have on their shelf?
The cocktail book by Death & Co. I’ve been to this cocktail bar in Manhattan, NY. Yes, their cocktail book is the cocktail bible for every serious cocktail maker.
What do you like to make at home when you want to eat quickly and well?
I have a fairly extensive schedule planned in advance. So I actually know exactly where I’m going to eat. Eating at home isn’t really an option.
Which dish do you have no self-control around?
Indonesian food. They always give you far too much, too. Yes, I just keep eating it.
On Monday, 28 August 2017, Roger will host the Foodbloggers Awards at Café Tropen from Cityguys, together with Susam Pang from bySam and Sabine de Witte from Your Ambassadrice. An awards show for restaurants and bars, with 25 food bloggers as the jury.
