BASHING BRUNCH, FAILED PROMISES AND THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH — THE SECOND EDITION OF “FAMOUS FOR MY DINNER PARTIES” IS OUT

In 2020, photographer and video producer Sandra von Mayer-Myrtenhain, photographer Junshen Wu, and food stylist Yannic Moeken got together and launched the online magazine Famous for my dinner parties — with the aim of taking a critical look at society and culture through the lens of food. The magazine became popular, the stories got attention, and the site developed its very own visual imagery. And so last year (2023) the magazine was given a space in the physical world: The first print edition was available in selected stores from the most important cultural capitals. Essays, photo series and the team’s favorite stories came together, and it quickly became clear that a second issue was needed. And it was this edition that was just celebrated with a big launch party in Berlin. In “Rages! Crazes! The Food Fad Issue” it’s all about food fads — quirky, frivolous, amusing, and yes, sometimes they are all justified. The fact is, they reveal a lot about us and the world — how we live and see others, our wishes and dreams. In this issue, old and new food trends are analyzed with humor (but also seriousness), diets and their failed promises are discussed, and questions that you have never asked yourself are pondered, all within the magazine’s colorful pages.

One afternoon, Yannic comes across the “bashing brunch” trend that has been doing the rounds among journalists and the internet in general for a decade now. Full of passion, dedication and outrage, a number of headlines such as “10 Reasons Why I Hate Brunch”, “Brunch Is Bad And It’s About Time We Admit It”, “The Complete Guide To Hating Brunch”, or, in short and simple terms: “Brunch Is For Jerks” have emerged over the years. Find out what’s behind the anti-trend, and why Haidilao, the largest hotpot chain in China, might be “The Happiest Place on Earth” in the magazine. More articles, more pages, more contributors: like the first issue, the second one is in small, compact form, but don’t let size fool you, this magazine will put a big smile on your face.

Text & Photos: Robyn Steffen

Famous for my dinner parties

@famousformydinnerparties

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Restaurants

BEFORE THE PARTY, AFTER THE PIZZA: DETROIT DEEP DISH BY FERGY IN RITTER BUTZKE’S BACKYARD

Tucked away in an idyllic, shady backyard in the middle of Kreuzberg, the smell of cheesy crust, homemade spice mixes, and freshly baked dough lures you to Fergy. For those who have danced the night away at Ritter Butzke, the backyard is no stranger. Next to the legendary Butzke, Fergy opened at the beginning of summer 2024 and has been serving Detroit Deep Dish Pizza ever since — a regional specialty from Detroit that gets its typical rectangular shape from the traditional baking pans. After several soft launches, pop-ups and extensive experimentation, chef Martin Müller, Domènec Sanz Janssen and Arne Kienapfel have landed on the perfect formula for their product. Each slice of Deep Dish Pizza contains a portion of the “original sourdough” — affectionately known as Pablo — which has been fed for a year so new dough can be continuously produced. The sourdough, fermented for 24 hours, ensures a fluffy dough and particularly crispy crust. There is a carefully selected mix of different cheeses, as well as in-house spice blends and complementary sauces which you can order for dipping or as a topping. In addition to the classics, such as pepperoni or cheese, there are special variations, such as “Truffle” with truffle sauce, fresh spinach, goat cheese and shaved truffle, or “Louisianan” with crayfish and tarragon pesto. And new on the menu from next week (22.07.2024): the Deep Dish Pizza with sucuk.

The different topping variations and dips, such as the togarashi mayo or “Caesar cream”, are created by Martin Müller, who previously worked at Tisk in Neukölln and as head chef at Oukan. Fergy is a particularly big challenge for him because we all associate certain tastes and personal stories with fast food. For me, I’m transported back to late nights with friends, drive-ins and lingering in parking lots, and the feeling of having arrived home after a long drive from a vacation in Italy. Martin wants to give these dishes a special twist without dampening the memories pizza evokes. Order pizza through a small pick-up window, find a quiet spot in the backyard, and create new, shared memories.

Text & Photos: Robyn Steffen

Fergy, Ritterstr.26, 10969 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map

@fergy_deep

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Activities

CARIBBEAN VIBES AT THE FELDBERG LAKES — LUZINER SEE

The area around Berlin has much to offer, including the Feldberger Seenplatte where an extraordinary natural spectacle occurs every August. Due to its high lime content and exceptional water quality, the Schmaler Luzin Lake impresses with a bright turquoise reminiscent of the Caribbean. And this is best experienced from the middle of the crystal-clear lake. Thanks to canoe, kayak and SUP rentals, everyone can enjoy the lake. You could easily spend an entire day on the lake — exploring the endless connecting waterways and marveling at the diverse flora and fauna you spot along the way. If you take your binoculars, with a little luck, you might be rewarded with a glimpse of a white-tailed eagle, osprey or kingfisher. In the charming village of Carwitz, which borders Schmaler Luzin to the south, enjoy freshly baked cakes and coffee at Café Sommerliebe. If you’re still in the mood for some culture, visit Hans Fallada’s house, which has been converted into a museum and hosts concerts and readings in the summertime.

Text: Franziska Giovannini / Photos: Becci Schatz & Laura Luisa Iriondo

Schmaler Luzin, Carwitz, 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft; map

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Culture

BACK TO THE FUTURE: RENAISSANCE EDITION — THE FAMILY EXHIBITION AT THE DEUTSCHES HISTORISCHES MUSEUM

We observe all day long — looking, reading, registering. For most people, perceiving with their eyes is so natural they rarely think about it and certainly don’t define it as a skill to be learned. According to a 2012 study, the average time spent in front of a museum picture is 11 seconds. I theorize that this number has fallen even further in the last twelve years. Why not practice observing in the way we practice other valuable skills? The best place to do this is the Deutsches Historisches Museum (children are expressly encouraged to attend). In fact, the exhibition “Dive into the Picture!” is intended for children and is free of charge for people 18 and under. One of the newly-restored collection highlights is in the museum’s Pei building: four Augsburg Monthly pictures from the 16th century. Like a pop-up book, visitors immerse themselves in the paintings and life of the time. Those depicted in the paintings become narrative figures and explore four themes: people, play, trade and nature.

Did life look the same 500 years ago? What do the paintings tell us about the past? What do they choose not to show? Children aged six to twelve (the main target group) will certainly learn something new — that’s a promise. Anyone who understandably finds it too didactic in parts (the comic strip Luise can be hard to bear at times) can simply observe the four pictures. And easily spend 11,000 seconds doing so, as there is so much to discover within them. That’s another promise.

Text: Hilka Dirks / Photos: David von Becker / Credit: Deutsches Historisches Museum

Deutsches Historisches Museum, Unter den Linden 2, 10117 Berlin–Mitte; map
Dive into the Picture! Time Travel for Kids until 19.01.2025

@dhmberlin

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Culture, Medienpartnerschaft

LIVE CONCERTS & DJ SETS AT THE HUMBOLDT FORUM COURTYARD — DURCHLÜFTEN OPEN-AIR MUSIC SERIES (RETURNS)

It’s back! Returning for its annual run at the Humboldt Forum courtyard, the Durchlüften open-air music series has lined up another round of vibrant performances that have made it a fixture of the summer cultural calendar. For the next four weekends (until 10.08.2024), an eclectic program of contemporary sounds will be lighting up the grounds of the neo-historic cultural center. The angle: head on a world-spanning musical trip without setting foot outside Berlin. There are 24 live performances and 12 DJ sets lined up, starting tonight (18.07, 19h15) with viral Pakistan-based musician Ustad Noor Bakhsh, who plays a version of a stringed instrument called the taishōkot, originally a Japanese children’s toy. DJ Sadhana Singh closes the evening with a set of South Asian and Punjabi disco cuts (22h). Next up, Brazilian singer, songwriter and activist Bia Ferreira will showcase her genre-blending soul sounds which address themes of racial and gender equality – check it out tomorrow (19.07, 20h30).

Also this weekend: summer vibes courtesy of Ghanaian reggae duo Y-Bayani & Baby Naa who appear alongside the seven-piece “Band of Enlightenment, Reason and Love” for a mix of dub and African rhythms (20.07, 20h30). Tunisian singer and voice of the Arab Spring Emel Mathlouthi will be on stage next Friday (26.07, 20h30) performing songs from her new album MRA, with style-shifting reggaeton and hip hop elements paired with her trademark empowering lyrics. Head to the event website for the full program, which – and here’s the kicker – is completely free of charge. All the more reason to grab your friends, lace up your dancing shoes and hit the courtyard…

Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Camila Tuon & Xander Heinl

Schlüterhof at the Humboldt Forum, Schlossplatz, 10178 Berlin–Mitte; map

Durchlüften runs for the next four weekends until 10.08.2024, free admission.

@humboldtforum

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BASHING BRUNCH, FAILED PROMISES AND THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH — THE SECOND EDITION OF “FAMOUS FOR MY DINNER PARTIES” IS OUT

BEFORE THE PARTY, AFTER THE PIZZA: DETROIT DEEP DISH BY FERGY IN RITTER BUTZKE’S BACKYARD

CARIBBEAN VIBES AT THE FELDBERG LAKES — LUZINER SEE

BACK TO THE FUTURE: RENAISSANCE EDITION — THE FAMILY EXHIBITION AT THE DEUTSCHES HISTORISCHES MUSEUM

LIVE CONCERTS & DJ SETS AT THE HUMBOLDT FORUM COURTYARD — DURCHLÜFTEN OPEN-AIR MUSIC SERIES (RETURNS)