Chef Patrick Ziegert approaches the plates he designs with his kitchen team with remarkable depth, bringing everything together through the elegance of tradition and minimalism: Kohlrabi, buttermilk, and cucumber pair beautifully in the starter; followed by the sleekest interpretation of the coziest staple in German households, knödel with a parmesan twist; and finishing with a dessert bursting with the rich flavors of chocolate, blueberries, and beyond. Cookies Cream proudly says, "Come for the food, stay for the art." Considering the walls were embellished with works by Ivan Gette, who was also the star of the night as our guest speaker, everyone in the room came and stayed for both the food and the art.

Building moments of genuine connection can be rare in cultures where individualism often takes precedence over collectivism. Yet, “ANOTHER BERLIN STORY: The Art Edition” proved that for every member of The Columbist, this wasn't the case. Spanning three bustling tables and accompanied by the incredible aromas wafting from Patrick Ziegert’s kitchen, the room was filled with warmth, joy, and laughter. In one corner, you could overhear a conversation about Berlin’s ever-unfolding artistic potential; in another, how the Tigris River shapes a region’s artistic and identity-based values; and elsewhere, a discussion on how the ecosystem for artists in Berlin has evolved over time.

Between the starter and the main course, this collective joy materialized into an open-talk session. Ivan Gette, an abstract artist who previously founded NOT A GALLERY and is currently presenting his new exhibition TUTTO PASSA in collaboration with Berlin-based AK Galerie, took the floor. Elena Kaplyar-Balzer, Editor-in-Chief of The Columbist, led the conversation with thoughtful questions: How did Ivan find himself in the world of art? What was the creative process behind TUTTO PASSA? And most importantly, if "everything passes" as the famous Italian saying goes, what remains in the aftermath? The session did not only help guests get to know Ivan Gette and his work better; at times, it felt like a collective brainstorming session, inspiring everyone in the room to reflect on how they perceive, evaluate, and transform their own relationship with art.

Much like the duality between individualism and collectivism, another question often lingers after any gathering: Did everyone truly enjoy it? Were those smiles on their faces as they left because they had a wonderful time, or were they just relieved to be heading home? In our case, whether it was the inspiring conversation between Ivan and Elena, the incredible dishes presented by Cookies Cream Berlin, or simply the genuine, warm discussions that naturally swept across every table, there was no doubt: everyone had a wonderful time, empowered by the binding force of art, supported by the flavors of Patrick Ziegert, and brightened by the colors of Ivan Gette.