Austrian cookbook hidden gem finds home in Dresden

The German Archive of Culinary Arts in Dresden has received a significant new addition with the donation of a comprehensive cookbook collection from the late Austrian gastronome, Christoph Wagner. Founded in 2022, the archive, which houses one of the largest publicly accessible cookbook collections in the German-speaking world, now boasts approximately 3,000 works, menus, and handwritten notes from Wagner's life's work.

Christoph Wagner, co-founder and chief editor of Gault Millau Austria, was an important voice for culinary culture in Austria. He sustainably fueled the discourse on culinary culture in the German-speaking world through his journalistic work in media such as GEO, Merian, and FAZ. Wagner understood culinary arts not just as pleasure, but as a cultural phenomenon, reflecting a deep interest in the question of why people eat what they eat - and what stories lie behind recipes.

The Wagner collection, donated by his family, is a comprehensive collection from Austria, marking the first time the German Archive of Culinary Arts in Dresden has received such a collection. It includes cookbooks ranging from peasant cuisine to grande cuisine, as well as menus, wine tastings, and personal notes. Examples of the personal notes include protocols of test meals in restaurants and wine tastings, as well as evaluations of different products like cheese or meat.

The Saxon State and University Library - Dresden (SLUB) and TU Dresden see the Wagner collection as a valuable basis for research into culinary culture and culinary history. The collection will be publicly accessible and scientifically usable in the future, further enriching the archive's resources.

The German Archive of Culinary Arts in Dresden has been receiving collections and estates of prominent culinary figures since its inception. Michèle Fischels, another notable donor, has also donated her life's work to the archive. The archive's mission is to preserve and make accessible the rich culinary heritage of the German-speaking world, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of its cultural significance.

With the addition of the Wagner collection, the German Archive of Culinary Arts in Dresden continues to grow as a vital resource for scholars, food enthusiasts, and the general public alike. The archive's commitment to preserving and promoting culinary culture ensures that the stories behind our recipes will continue to be told for generations to come.