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
