LOVE IN THE TIME OF CORONA PART 2: AT HOME

A few weeks ago, we collected stories of a holiday in lockdown. We asked: How did people in China celebrate the Lunar New Year under such bizarre circumstances? (read the stories here) None of us hoped there would be a part two to this story, but here it is. We again asked our friends, from different countries this time, how the situation has affected them, their work and mental health — and of course what and how they have been cooking and eating.

Yvonne owns a small scale catering firm in Rotterdam, which she runs by herself. Usually busy cooking for theatre troupes, weddings and birthday parties, all her gigs have been cancelled until at least June first. To survive and keep busy, she started selling take out meals to neighbours from her kitchen window. She even sewed herself a mask from her trademark red checkered tablecloth fabric.

Jiaqi comes from Wuhan. He moved to Boston to study, where he met his girlfriend Liying. Missing Chinese tea culture, they started a premium bubble tea business last year, doing pop-ups in different restaurants. They were very excited to finally open their own tea shop this spring. This plan has been postponed due to the current situation, but they brought their equipment home and continued with their love for bubble tea.

Maike, a German artist living in the Netherlands, usually plans her week around the three days she spends in the kitchens of the Urban Espresso Bar and Round&Round matcha café, baking all their cakes and constantly trying out new ideas. With the closing of all gastronomy, she feared she would miss this structure and creative outlet. More of a baker than an eater and currently unable to share, it has become hard for her to eat all the fruits of her labour — especially since the stress of the situation has caused a lack of appetite. Last weekend, instead of her usual sourdough bread, she used her starter to make English muffins: a more ‘manageable’ recipe, and one she had wanted to try for a long time.

Maciej and Apolonia come from Poland and work together in Glasgow as a photography duo called BAUFORM. After some traveling, they decided several weeks ago to self-isolate. Usually well known for their food photography, they are now restricted by the limited resources available. Regardless, they still try to eat well and stay healthy.

Coco is from China and has been living in London for a long time. After studying textile design at Central Saint Martins, she started working at a fishmonger and hasn’t left the food industry since. Currently interning in the kitchen at the famous restaurant St. John — which popularised the nose-to-tail approach in England —, she also hosts a supper club at home under the name New Gate Studio. Since London went into lockdown, she considered offering delivery meals, but doesn’t have a vehicle for transportation. Instead, she is using the time at home to reflect and regroup herself. But she’s still always cooking.

Mattia is an architect who works between Trento, Milan and Berlin. Just before the outbreak in Italy, he came to see his girlfriend Viviane. Coming from a culture which celebrates getting together for food, it breaks his heart to see that his family and friends are not able to do so. In order to feel close to his family and his culture, Mattia and Viviane have been trying to recreate a familiar atmosphere at their home in Berlin.

Rochelle is from the UK, grew up in Australia and lives in Berlin, working as a producer at High Snobiety. She has a keen interest in food and cooking and likes to share the extravagant dishes she and her boyfriend cook at home on Instagram. Much like the food industry, the creative industry was among the first to get hit by the recent outbreak and its social and economic consequences. Suddenly spending lots of time at home, Rochelle’s eye for detail still shines through in her quarantine cooking. She chose a springlike green colour palette for her food, crockery and nails.

Text: Yannic Moeken, Junshen Wu
Photos: Yvonne, Maciej, Apolonia, Jiaqi, Coco, Maike, Viviane, Rochelle