Each week we shine the spotlight on a member of Dorset’s business community and ask him, or her, for answers to our part fun/part serious questionnaire. This time…

She describes herself as a “professional glutton” and would like to be remembered for great cheese scones, gets angry at injustice, rudeness and people who don’t use their indicators and if she was PM for the day she’d probably go and hide in bed until the day was over!

Rebecca Perl, aka The Adventurous Glutton. and Director, Messagelab Communications and food writer, takes the 20 Questions’ hotseat. 

Question: What is your favourite TV show?

Answer: I’m still mourning the fact that I’ve finished all seven seasons of Parks and Recreation. I became so invested in the loveable characters.

Q: Who would you like to share a car with?

A: My amazing Grandma who died long ago, because who else would have a bacon sandwich (on a plate, with a napkin) and a glass of orange juice waiting for you in the glove box?

Q: The best bit of my job is…?

A: Transforming gobbledygook into clear, concise and engaging writing. Copywriting that doesn’t just read well, but delivers sales, conversions and loyalty.

Q: And the worst…?

A: Doing my accounts, or any admin.

Q: Who was your childhood hero?

A: Tony Hart of Hartbeat, despite still being a bit miffed that my drawings were never included in the gallery.

Q: What’s your favourite smell?

A: Petrol, Marmite, cheese scones in the oven and on quite a different tack, babies.

Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?

A: Larmer Tree Gardens, on the border between Dorset and Wiltshire. That’s where we had our wedding and have had many a happy time at End Of The Road festival.

Q: What advice would you give to anyone starting out on a career?

A: You’re not entitled to anything, you need to work hard for it. And it’s sad that I have to say this to early career writers, but don’t work for free. If you are open to opportunities – and proactive enough to create your own breaks – you can build up a portfolio of paid work. (I’ve been a professional writer for nearly 20 years and I still get told “it would be good exposure” for me to write for free. My response is unprintable).

Q: What was your first record/CD?

A: From what I can remember, among my first 12” singles were Band Aid II and Show Me Heaven by Maria McKee (from the film Days of Thunder).

Q: What gets you angry?

A: Injustice, rudeness and people who don’t use their indicators.

Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?

A: ‘Where is my mind’ by Maxence Cyrin (The Pixies piano cover).

Q: What are the qualities you look for in a new employee?

A: Someone who is diligent, proactive, keen to learn and polite.

Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?

A: So hard to choose just one! If it was my dying meal, I’d probably start with seafood chowder in a sourdough bowl, and yes, I would eat the bowl. Followed by a good steak and ale pie – a proper pie with bottom and sides, not just a stupid lid – and loads of roast potatoes. Then for pudding, a warm melting chocolate fondant. All washed down with a lovely bottle of red. (Indigestion doesn’t matter if it’s your last meal, right?)

Q: Steamed sponge pudding and custard or a plate of melon?

A: I’m a professional glutton. What do you think?! We actually have a ‘Custard Club’ in our house.

Q: Name the best thing about living/working in Dorset?

A: The absolute privilege of being by the sea, and the mental and physical health benefits it brings.

Q: If you were Prime Minister for the day what would be the first thing you do?

A: Probably go and hide in bed until the day was over. What a mess we are in. Seriously, looking after our NHS would have to be the top priority. Closely followed by sorting out climate change, food poverty, homelessness and the post-Brexit economy.

Q: What’s your biggest frustration?

A: The fact that it’s usually women who have the monumental task of juggling childcare and a career. And if they have a job they love – as I do – and can work it around their kids, they are so grateful that they price themselves too low. A very successful male copywriter once said to me: “Do you know why male copywriters at your level get paid so much more? Because they ask for more.” It’s as simple as that.

Q:  Where’s your favourite holiday location?

A: We’re avid backpackers, and don’t do traditional ‘holidays’ too often. One of my favourite places I’ve been in recent years is Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, the world’s largest salt flat. It was beautiful and otherworldly.

Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?

A: I’ll definitely still be writing, but perhaps I’ll have finally knuckled down to write my novel by then.

Q: What would you like to be remembered for?

A: Great cheese scones.