Togi Panjaitan has always loves photography and started his career as a fashion photographer; he finds joy in being a food photographer and is renowned for his keen eye for details. He tries to bring honesty to his work that will evoke people’s appetite when they see the results of his photos.
Hi! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your day-to-day activities?
I am a commercial food photographer based in Jakarta. In my free time, I love watching romcoms and learning Japanese.
What do you like the most about your job?
The food and getting to know the people behind the food.
What are your favorite local dishes, and where do you go to eat them?
There is this Bubur Ayam near my house; I always get extra cakwe for them; it’s the best.
What is the most unforgettable food experience you have ever had?
I was on my way to Fuji Mountain and decided to stop at a gas station. There’s an ice cream stall, and out of curiosity, I bought their soft serve ice cream. And it was the best soft serve ice cream I have ever tasted! It’s from a brand called Idebok. The ice cream was very creamy, milky, delicious fragrance, and wasn’t too sweet. But definitely the best I have ever tried.
What kind of dining places will catch your attention?
Thanks to the pandemic, a good dining place that will catch my attention would be one with delicious food and an outdoor area. So I can keep doing social distancing, hahaha. And my favorite place so far is Hutan Kota Plataran.
Do you have any go-to venues for hanging out with friends or maybe for special occasions with family?
Hutan Kota pelataran
Where are your top three dining places that you will always be on your favorite list?
Any place by the Union Group, TWG, and Sumire!
What is your most recent dining destination that left a good impression?
The most recent was when I went to Jogja, I went to Lesung Café & Resto Jogja, located near the Green Temple, and the view was breathtaking.
Do you have any favorite takeouts for busy days?
For busy days, my favorite takeouts would be Wrapped Cobb Salad or Crab Lah Salad from Salad Stop!
Is there any food you can eat every day without getting bored?
Venchi’s Brutto Buono! I can really eat this every day; it’s so good.
Do you have any memorable experiences of being a Food photographer?
There was once a time that I did a food photoshoot from 8 am and finished at 6 am the day after! It was really tiring but definitely one of my most memorable experiences.