Kafka's Forgotten Cookbook Takes Center Stage in Korschenbroich

A unique literary event is happening near you in Korschenbroich this month. On Saturday, February 21, a reading and discussion will delve into 'Kafka's Cookbook', a collection of 544 vegetarian recipes once owned by the famous writer. The event, listed on Eventbrite, will offer historical context and modern perspectives on food, exploring how early 20th-century ideas about food compare to today's trends.

The event begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Alte Schule on Steinstraße 18. Denis Scheck, a well-known literary critic, and Eva Gritzmann, a general practitioner, will lead the discussion. The two have collaborated before, co-authoring two books and knowing each other since their school days.

Franz Kafka acquired the cookbook while staying at a sanatorium in Dresden. Though its direct influence on today's vegetarian movement remains unclear, many of its recipes still resonate with contemporary plant-based cooking. The event will blend cultural history with nutritional insights, examining how early 20th-century ideas about food compare to today's trends.

Tickets for the reading cost €14 and can be purchased at Barbers Bookstore by calling 02161 / 99 99 849. Organisers expect interest from both literature lovers and those curious about the history of vegetarian cuisine.

The reading will highlight a lesser-known side of Kafka's life while connecting past and present food traditions. With vegetarian and vegan products doubling in Germany since 2019, the event offers a chance to reflect on how early dietary ideas still shape modern eating habits. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the cookbook's place in cultural and culinary history.