must see

It’s approaching. The first workday of the new year. For most people, this year it will be January 5. This day is quite special in terms of communication. A little small talk will do the trick: “Did you have a good start to the new year?” is the diplomatic, classic, and possibly meaningful question to ask. Provided you mean the question seriously. If you ask a question, you must also be genuinely interested in the answer.

Tradition meets trend: British tea time is experiencing a stylish renaissance in hotels, cafés, and upscale restaurants. What was once reserved for the British aristocracy is now being reimagined with elegant tiered trays, international tea varieties, and a thirst for knowledge about blends, brewing times, and rituals. A look at new concepts, old customs, and the future of tea—including insights from the Academy.

Jules Winnfield runs a vegetarian cocktail bistro in Berlin, which has been awarded a Michelin star since 2023, two cooking class and event spaces, and a focacceria. The growing universe surrounding his “Bonvivant” is based on sustainability and teamwork – and shows that gourmet gastronomy can also be done differently. A portrait.

At first glance, Mind Set Win looks like a sports book—but it is actually a real coaching tool for anyone working in high-stress industries. Whether you’re a chef, hotel manager, or project manager, this book is all about concentration, self-management, and mental endurance.

The variety of perspectives is fascinating: from Max Verstappen to Lindsey Vonn, top athletes talk openly about pressure, failure, and mental routines. The accompanying exercises are suitable for everyday use, well-founded, and developed by professionals in psychology and coaching.

Particularly valuable are the chapters on focus and flow—a topic that is especially relevant in the hospitality world, where guest requests, team leadership, and self-motivation are daily concerns.

INFO
Mind Set Win—The mental techniques of top athletes and how we can use them for ourselves
Publisher: Benevento
240 pages
ISBN: 978-3-7109-0209-3
Price: €30.00 / CHF 40.90

It doesn’t take much to bring people together – sometimes all you need is tomatoes, pasta, and a pinch of history. In Pasta al Pomodoro, author Ilse Fischer focuses on a classic dish that is much more than just noodles with sauce: it is a symbol of community, memory, and flavor in its purest form.

The idea came about when Fischer tasted three-star chef Niko Romito’s signature dish, “Spaghetti e Pomodoro” – simple, clear, and yet stunningly deep. “Few ingredients, simple preparation, unique taste,” she recalls. And this experience became the starting point for a project that combines culinary art, emotion, and culture.

In 55 variations, she shows how differently and yet how closely connected this classic dish can be interpreted—from Italian nonnas to culinary greats such as Heinz Reitbauer, Andreas Caminada, Johann Lafer, Norbert Niederkofler, Rudi Obauer, and Tina Marcelli. Even artists and actors such as Philipp Hochmair and Walter Grüll contribute their personal versions.

INFO
Pasta al Pomodoro – 55 variations on the Italian classic
Author: Ilse Fischer
Photography: Ingolf Hatz
Foreword: Placido Domingo
Publisher: Christian Verlag GmbH
Length: 208 pages
ISBN: 978-3-95961-958-5
Price: €30.90 (D/A)

When Mediterranean lightness meets Andalusian temperament, the result is a menu that is more than just an arrangement of courses: it becomes a narrative about origins, freedom, and the longing for new perspectives. In December 2025, two-star chef Álvaro Salazar from VORO in Mallorca will take over as guest chef of the month at Restaurant Ikarus – and take Salzburg on a sensory journey between Andalusia and the Balearic Islands.