CHARACTER IS AN IMPORTANT INGREDIENT IN THE INTER- CULTURAL RECIPE FOR SUCCESS DEVISED BY ANAHITA SADIGHI, GERMANY’S YOUNGEST GALLERY OWNER. THE 34-YEAR-OLD PERSIAN-BORN ARTIST RUNS THREE GALLERIES IN WHICH SHE COMBINES ANCIENT AND CONTEMPORARY ART IN HER OWN INIMITABLE FASHION. SHE LOVES DIVERSITY – IN HER CRAFT AS WELL AS IN THE KITCHEN.
Interviewer Susanne Gotzek
Artist Anahita refuses to fit into any mould: she is not a fan of fixed structures, which is why she doesn’t stick to recipes and prefers to rely on her intuition in the kitchen.
Anahita, do you see cooking as a type of art?
(Laughs). To be honest, I only really got into cooking during the pandemic. I didn’t have much time for it beforehand. I love strolling through local markets and taking inspiration from them: eating with my eyes. I’m creative and spontaneous – I’m not a fan of fixed structures. And that’s why I don’t stick to recipes and prefer to rely on my intuition in the kitchen. My grandmother and mother, who both came from Iran, have passed on their old Persian recipes to me, and I’m giving them a twist by combining them with modern recipes in a bid to create unique taste sensations. For me, cooking is not about the perfect temperature, but about producing a work of art: it’s about the warmth generated in the process, the flow and the energy.
Do you prefer cooking on your own or with friends?
My favourite way to cook is with my husband and with friends. He’s half-German and half-Italian: at our place, Persian, Italian and German cuisine meld into something new. For me, cooking is about much more than just putting food on the table – there’s an ongoing dialogue during its preparation, creating space (a nest of sorts) for love, security and family. But I also like inviting friends over to cook – to share and try out various recipes and ideas together. This gives rise to lively discussions and philosophical conversations. We listen to music, dance, cook and laugh. Hospitality and generosity are deeply rooted in the Persian culture.
To what extent does your kitchen reflect your personality?
It’s a perfect ‘character match’. My kitchen is just as individual as I am and doesn’t fit into any mould. I’m an intuitive personality and don’t like rigid rules – and all that is reflected in my kitchen. Everything is different but harmonises well together. My kitchen is modern at heart: I like clear lines because, for all my creativity, there has to be order too. I don’t feel comfortable otherwise. There’s also a hint of Persia reflected in the tiles, for instance.
I’ve added a few old accessories to the mix, too. I just enjoy combining the traditional with the modern, moving between worlds and eras.
