Berlin never seizes to surprise me with new amazing things. In a city so full of cultural influences, new ideas, an ever changing population, and so much diversity it’s practically impossible to know it all. So whenever you go out you will likely learn something new.
This is exactly what happened to me at the Fashion Kitchen event of Priceless® Berlin. The event hosted by MasterCard during Berlin Fashion Week brought together the genres of food and fashion with a colorful program including a live cooking and flying buffet by two all-round talents and Priceless Berlin Partners – celebrity chef Kolja Kleeberg and star coiffeur Shan Rahimkhan – and a fashion show of Berlin-based design favorite Michael Sontag who presented his brand new collection. But even though these two elements were already big highlights there was quite a bit more going on. So let me tell you a bit more about these culinary wonders of the Priceless Berlin world that I discovered at the event…
The Power of Local Seeds
The little shop in Bergmann-Kiez called “Ölmühle an der Havel” is a true gem for lovers of exquisite ingredients. They produce their own oil and flour, pressed from locally sourced seeds such as flax, almonds, apricots, walnuts, pumpkin, poppy seed and many more. I tried some of their products that were made with their own golden flax flour (which is naturally gluten free): delicious brownies and chocolate pralines. They were so good I had to stop myself from eating the entire plate. In their shop in Kreuzberg they have countless amazing products including base oils, seasoning oils, pestos, organic flours and seasoning mixes. They also offer workshops on how to press your own oil and how to mix your own curries.
Ölmühle an der Havel, Bergmannstrasse 104, 10961 Berlin-Kreuzberg,
Open Mon-Sun 10-19h
Priceless Berlin Special: Press your own oil during a workshop or get free add-ons on your shopping
The Taste of Fine Spirits
Delicious Berlin is a shop and showroom specialized in high-class spirits including rum, gin, whiskey, tequila and cognac. They also have a selection of excellent wines and cigars. In their showroom they offer special tasting evenings where you can try some of the world’s best spirits. I had the chance to taste some of their rums. I am normally not the biggest fan of rum, so it was interesting for me to try some more elaborate types. It really surprised me how the flavors of good rum are so much more than what you are used from regular brands. I tasted the flavors of bananas, passion fruit and mango on my tongue, and these were not even the infused ones!
Delicious Berlin, Pariser Str. 54, 10719 Berlin-Wilmersdorf,
Open Mon-Fri 10-18:30h, Sat 12-18h
Priceless Berlin Special: Exclusive Blind Tasting
The Magic of Local Crafts
Craft Beer is a big trend, not only in Berlin, but also in many other big cities in the world. Berlin always seemed to be a bit behind on this trend, but it’s surely catching up. Gypsy brewing and microbreweries are popping up all over and of course there was also one local craft beer at the Fashion Kitchen. It was BRLO one of the more established craft beer brands of Berlin. Their range includes a few ales, a lager, a stout and they have their own Berlin-style Weisse. They have made it quite far with their products, selling in many bars and shops, even in the air on airberlin flights. They are currently building their own brewery at Gleisdreieck that is also going to have a bar and restaurant. Their beer garden is already open now.
BRLO BRWHOUSE, Schöneberger Straße 16, 10963 Berlin-Kreuzberg,
Open Mon-Fri from 14h, Sat-Sun from 12h
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When Food meets Fashion
Combining food and fashion is not an easy task. I have seen many attempts during previous seasons of the Berlin Fashion Week, but rarely was it anything more than supper with a fashion show. For the Fashion Kitchen it came together quite symbiotically with the collaboration of three creative minds and Priceless Berlin that all like to extend their work beyond just one profession.
Celebrity chef Kolja Kleeberg, owner of the fine French Cuisine restaurant VAU, is not just a chef, he is also an actor, musician, and all-over entertainer. He just likes to host people and make them feel comfortable, and not just with delicious food. What better way to finish an evening of culinary delights than offering a magnificent dessert in the shape of a runway show by one of the most respected Berlin designers?
I saw the work of designer Michael Sontag for the first time many years ago when he won the first Start Your Fashion Business Award in Berlin. Since then he has made quite the name for himself with more awards, applauded collections and prestigious collaborations. At the Fashion Kitchen he presented yet another stunning collection.
Michael Sontag, Muskauer Straße 41, 10997 Berlin-Kreuzberg,
Open Tue, Wed & Fri 13-18h, Thu 15-20h, Sat 11-16h
Priceless Berlin Special: Personal shopping with the Designer and 20% off
Shan Rahimkhan does not only run a high-end hair salon, but also a restaurant where he combines international feel-good-food with a Persian twist. For the Fashion Kitchen he became the glue between food and fashion by taking over the styling part of the fashion show by Michael Sontag and participating in the live cooking with Kolja Kleeberg bringing in his Persian influence. His restaurant Shan’s Bistro has probably the best view in town right onto the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt.
Shan’s Bistro, Markgrafenstraße 36, 10117 Berlin-Mitte,
Open: Mon, Tue & Sun 9-22h, Wed-Sat 9-24h
Priceless Berlin Special: A free Aperitif to your 3-course-menu
The Fashion Kitchen event did not only successfully master the bridge between to creative genres, but also managed to surprise with a couple of culinary gems of Berlin – a perfect introduction of the culinary program of Priceless Berlin. More to come!
Sponsored by MasterCard