There are those rare moments when art and cuisine come together in such perfect harmony that you wonder if they could have ever existed separately. Such was the case during my visit to Tantris Maison Culinaire, Munich’s temple of haute cuisine, for the unveiling of Annette Sandner’s latest edition of “Culinary Timepieces.” Anyone familiar with Annette knows that she leaves nothing to chance, but what she has created here goes far beyond what one typically imagines with food photography. It’s a journey through time — through taste, history, and pure aesthetics.
Max Kaindl, 18. October 2024
reading time about 9 minutes
A Rendezvous of Art and Culinary Excellence:
Culinary Timepieces at Tantris
Tantris: A Mythical Culinary Landmark
Tantris is, after all, a mythical place, a crowning jewel of German culinary heritage that has shaped the way this country thinks, cooks, and eats for generations. And then comes Annette Sandner, seizing original Tantris menus from the 1970s, diving deep into the archives, and transforming these historical documents into breathtaking works of art. But to say she “just” takes photos would be a massive understatement. What Annette creates with Culinary Timepieces are homages to high culinary art, far more than mere representations — they are visual time capsules capturing the essence of an era.
The Creative Process: Past Meets Present
The collaboration with the Tantris team, led by head chef Benjamin Chmura, was marked by an impressive attention to detail. And the idea? Not just to photograph old dishes, but to bring them back to life. In a way that celebrates both the past and the present. It wasn’t a simple re-creation. Annette hat the goal to reinterpret the historical DNA of the dishes, viewing them in a modern context while still honoring their roots. The process was both meticulous and artistic — a balancing act that few could master as well as Annette.
The Creation of Culinary Timepieces: A Creative Odyssey
What fascinated me most was the precision with which every detail was considered. The old menus became canvases on which dishes like Salade Niçoise and Sole façon du Chef were given new life. Reimagined but with deep respect for their origins. The creative journey of these works reads almost like an artistic odyssey: Annette starts with the historical document — in this case, Tantris menus from the 1970s — and from there, develops her vision. But her work doesn’t end there. Together with the chefs — led by Benjamin Chmura and his team — each dish is discussed, interpreted, and finally presented on the historical document. The challenge? How do you plate a dish that might no longer exist? And how do you capture the spirit of that time without slipping into mere nostalgia?
A Culinary Puzzle: Annette’s Dedication to Detail
Annette described it to me during the event as: “It’s like a puzzle. I have the historical menus, and I need to figure out how to translate these dishes from the past into the present without losing their soul.” This dedication, this deep dive into culinary history, elevates Culinary Timepieces to an entirely new level. It’s not just about beautiful images — it’s about telling stories. Stories of legendary chefs, grand moments, and, of course, unforgettable dishes.
A Feast for the Senses: Historic Dishes Reimagined
Then, as we sat down at Tantris to enjoy the reinterpretations of these classics, the genius of it all became clear. The motifs of the Tantris edition, so masterfully staged by Annette, were now presented to us by chef Benjamin Chmura and his team. Not as exact replicas of the past, but as modern renditions with a contemporary finesse. An homage, yes — but one that doesn’t dwell in the past, instead boldly looking forward.
The Sole façon du Chef? A dream. The Salade Niçoise? A symphony of flavors. And the wine pairing by head sommelier Julian Grundwald rounded off this journey perfectly. For that afternoon, we weren’t just spectators of an exhibition but active participants in a culinary masterpiece.
A Masterpiece Across Eras: Culinary Timepieces
What remains is admiration. With Culinary Timepieces, Annette has created something that transcends photography. It is a bridge between eras, a visual memory of haute cuisine that remains firmly rooted in the present. Her attention to detail, her passion for gastronomy, and her ability to unite past and present make this project truly unique.
An Unforgettable Afternoon Celebrating the Art of Enjoyment
As I sipped my last glass of Saint-Joseph 2015 by Yves Cuilleron and reflected on the afternoon, I thought: If there is one artist who understands how to capture the essence of pleasure and history in a single image, it’s Annette Sandner. Culinary Timepieces is not just a tribute to great cuisine — it’s an ode to the art of enjoyment itself. A “match made in heaven,” as she might say. And me? I’m simply grateful to have been part of this masterpiece.
Culinary Timepieces Tantris Edition, Culinary Timepieces Tantris Edition, Culinary Timepieces Tantris Edition, Culinary Timepieces Tantris Edition, Culinary Timepieces Tantris Edition, Culinary Timepieces Tantris Edition