In 1997 Vandenhaute founded together with Jan and Erik Huyse Watté the production Woestijnvis, that initially exclusively made programs for VRT. Thanks to TV personalities such as Uytterhoeven, Rob Vanoudenhoven, Tom Lenaerts and Bart De Pauw, and TV shows like "Man bijt hond" bites dog, "de Mol" and "Alles Kan Beter" Will Better, Woestijnvis grew into one of the most successful production companies in Flanders. In 2000, "De Mol" was awarded the prestigious Rose d'Or of Montreux. The program was further sold to about 50 countries.