Q: What is your favourite thing about working in the catering industry? And what about the most challenging?
Working in this industry is interesting to me since I love facing challenges as well as creating pleasure and enjoyment through creative dishes. The whole process of catering is a challenge since so many things must be considered, but my team is well prepared for any event, big or small and any challenge that might come along. That’s what keeps it interesting!
Q: What is your company’s food philosophy?
An old saying says people come together over food. Nowadays this saying appears to be more accurate than ever before. Eating and drinking is much more than just nourishing your body, eating and drinking is the centre of our interpersonal life. And although our lifestyles have changed, our life has become faster, more decentralized, more flexible; one must not forget to find time for the essential things in life. We must consciously work on our ability to enjoy and anchor pleasure – taste – sociability in our everyday life. Communication, togetherness and conviviality are just as important for survival as the calorie intake itself.
My motto is “Essenszeit ist Lebenszeit”, which translates to “meal time is a lifetime” – the lifetime in which you should deal exclusively with pleasure – taste – sociability! Meet your families at your kitchen table and meet your friends at the restaurant table as often as possible.
Q: What are the newest food trends you are seeing in catering in Austria?
As a countertrend to the fast-moving lifestyles, I see the increasing focus on family and slow-food in the catering industry. This goes hand in hand with tradition in Austria – getting together at the kitchen table and sharing valuable moments over food. This togetherness can also be felt in catering, where traditional dishes are asked for and the assembly of the event clearly aims to comfort and sociability.
Q: If you had one weekend to travel anywhere, which city would you dine in?
I would definitely travel to San Francisco since the cuisine reflects the contemporary and free lifestyle perfectly and is a great source of inspiration.
