VANMOOF Rider Stories: Inés – Perspectives on a city

VANMOOF Rider Stories are a series portraying artists and creatives worldwide, each episode highlights the passion and unique field of work or interest of the main character while complementing the story with the aspect of movement and a modern, fashionable as well as sustainable lifestyle.

In June 2020, VANMOOF paid me a visit in Berlin and accompanied me one day through the green areas of the city – while exploring it’s many parks and hidden green places by bike. We added some seasonal ingredients from the local farmer’s market to complete the dish, inspired by the foraged ingredients, which I then prepared for the team at my Studio Kitchen in Beelitz-Heilstaetten.

“Forager and culinary experience designer Inés Lauber’s fascination with food, not just as essential sustenance, but as a design material and storytelling tool has unearthed a new side to her home city of Berlin. The city’s past distinguishes its culture from other major European cities, having only relatively recently opened its borders after the fall of the wall. And for Inés, that makes it the perfect setting for designing unique culinary experiences that connect her guests using the universal language of food.”

“I started five to six years ago digging into the topic of wild food and foraging,” Inés remembers, “back then I was in search of a lost flavour – like a lost taste, which is bitter. And I found it with all the wild herbs.” Working outwards from her own neighborhood, Inés’ eye has gradually become trained in identifying different plants, and recognizing where certain varieties grow: “Berlin is a whole salad – but of course you don't wanna just pick everywhere,” Inés smiles.

Foraging is a means to reconnect with nature and the seasons. And although it may seem paradoxical, to search for wild food in the middle of a concrete jungle is perhaps the most rewarding. …

… Continue reading on VANMOOF’s blog: Rider Stories: Inés – Perspectives on a city