Editor Cha Euijin
Excerpts from the interview

How did you first get to know Mona? I first discovered Mona through her photography. I was particularly impressed by the way she captured moments of sharing food with others. She often photographed meals shared with loved ones.

I’m someone who values delicious food, and luckily, my friends do too—laughs. That’s why most of our gatherings revolve around food, and cooking plays an important role in my relationships. Cooking or eating together always creates an interesting atmosphere.

What do you cook for your friends?
Dishes that aren’t too complicated but still quite appealing. For example, even a simple salad can make a big difference if you use good ingredients or arrange it nicely. I also enjoy using seasonal vegetables grown locally. My partner and I are part of a community garden project on the outskirts of Berlin. Cooking with ingredients we’ve grown ourselves brings me a real sense of pride and joy. It made me realize how much effort and care goes into creating food. One day, I’d love to have my own garden or farm.

How did you get started with photography?
Actually, photography was kind of the starting point of my artistic path. After high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I worked various part-time jobs until I discovered photography and found it fascinating. I eventually studied photography at university but later switched to graphic design. It wasn't until after my studies that I slowly started to get back into it and I started taking photos more frequently again: documenting friends, strangers, moments, light, and colors. To this day, I mostly take analog pictures; there’s just something magical about shooting on film.

The idea of pressing the shutter at a joyful meal makes me happy.
Capturing fleeting beauty helps you see the world from a different perspective. We live in a fast-paced society, and it’s easy to lose ourselves or feel like something is missing. With my camera, I want to pause and realize how much there is to be grateful for. I hope my photos help people realize how precious and important our environment and each of us are to each other. It may not be obvious at first glance and may not apply to every single photo, but if it touches or can inspire someone, all the better.

Food seems to have the power to bring people together and spark meaningful conversations.
I completely agree. Food is a special tool that helps us get to know one another. Just sitting at the same table and sharing a meal can bring people closer. When I travel or spend time with others, I love sharing food and blending into each other’s lives. It’s a way to experience parts of another culture and truly connect with someone. Is there any better way to grow closer than by eating together?

Is there a meal with friends that stands out in your memory?
Oh, let me think because there are so many that come to mind. For one, my partner and I have started a little summer tradition since we started growing vegetables. Once a summer, we invite a group of friends to join us in the park. We prepare dishes made entirely from the vegetables we’ve harvested, and everyone is invited to contribute something to share. It's a bit like our own personal harvest festival. As adults, we often have less time for each other because life gets busy. These gatherings create a chance to be together and stay connected through food. Of course, not everyone can join every time, but we hope we can keep this idea alive! 

I’m curious – what’s your favorite moment when cooking?
It depends on the situation. When I cook for myself, I enjoy the peace of listening to an audiobook or music while focusing only on the food. It’s a comforting moment. But when I cook for many people or prepare food together with others, things can get a little chaotic and busy. Still, I feel a great sense of joy when everything comes together on time – especially when everyone enjoys the meal. The memories made while cooking together often stay with me much longer than simply being served a meal.

Sharing a kitchen like that must’ve been a special, unforgettable time.
One time, my friends and I made pasta from scratch, but we totally underestimated how long it would take – we didn’t finish until just before midnight. Everyone was on the brink of starving. Maybe that’s why the food tasted even better! laughs

Glad it had a happy ending! laughs Do you have any rules you always follow when it comes to food?
I care a lot about the environmental impact of ingredients. Since becoming an adult, I’ve stuck to a vegetarian diet. I try to cook with local, organic, and seasonal produce whenever I can. But that doesn’t mean I never make exceptions or that I eat super healthy every day. I just do my best to make small efforts for the environment. When I eat with others, I try to respect their eating habits, too.

It's gotten chilly these days – what kind of food do you usually have around this time of year?
In gloomy February, I always make soup. I want something that warms me up from the inside. I like lentil or potato soup – it’s great for when you don’t have much time to cook or you’re short on money.

Sounds like a comforting and simple dish. What kind of meal feels truly satisfying to you?
Something easy to make and fun to eat – that’s it. Of course, it’s even better if it looks good, too, but I think sometimes the simplest dishes bring the greatest comfort.

Excerpts from the interview
Editor Cha Euijin

How did you first get to know Mona? I first discovered Mona through her photography. I was particularly impressed by the way she captured moments of sharing food with others. She often photographed meals shared with loved ones.

I’m someone who values delicious food, and luckily, my friends do too—laughs. That’s why most of our gatherings revolve around food, and cooking plays an important role in my relationships. Cooking or eating together always creates an interesting atmosphere.

What do you cook for your friends?
Dishes that aren’t too complicated but still quite appealing. For example, even a simple salad can make a big difference if you use good ingredients or arrange it nicely. I also enjoy using seasonal vegetables grown locally. My partner and I are part of a community garden project on the outskirts of Berlin. Cooking with ingredients we’ve grown ourselves brings me a real sense of pride and joy. It made me realize how much effort and care goes into creating food. One day, I’d love to have my own garden or farm.

How did you get started with photography?
Actually, photography was kind of the starting point of my artistic path. After high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I worked various part-time jobs until I discovered photography and found it fascinating. I eventually studied photography at university but later switched to graphic design. It wasn't until after my studies that I slowly started to get back into it and I started taking photos more frequently again: documenting friends, strangers, moments, light, and colors. To this day, I mostly take analog pictures; there’s just something magical about shooting on film.

The idea of pressing the shutter at a joyful meal makes me happy.
Capturing fleeting beauty helps you see the world from a different perspective. We live in a fast-paced society, and it’s easy to lose ourselves or feel like something is missing. With my camera, I want to pause and realize how much there is to be grateful for. I hope my photos help people realize how precious and important our environment and each of us are to each other. It may not be obvious at first glance and may not apply to every single photo, but if it touches or can inspire someone, all the better.

Food seems to have the power to bring people together and spark meaningful conversations.
I completely agree. Food is a special tool that helps us get to know one another. Just sitting at the same table and sharing a meal can bring people closer. When I travel or spend time with others, I love sharing food and blending into each other’s lives. It’s a way to experience parts of another culture and truly connect with someone. Is there any better way to grow closer than by eating together?

Is there a meal with friends that stands out in your memory?
Oh, let me think because there are so many that come to mind. For one, my partner and I have started a little summer tradition since we started growing vegetables. Once a summer, we invite a group of friends to join us in the park. We prepare dishes made entirely from the vegetables we’ve harvested, and everyone is invited to contribute something to share. It's a bit like our own personal harvest festival. As adults, we often have less time for each other because life gets busy. These gatherings create a chance to be together and stay connected through food. Of course, not everyone can join every time, but we hope we can keep this idea alive! 

I’m curious – what’s your favorite moment when cooking?
It depends on the situation. When I cook for myself, I enjoy the peace of listening to an audiobook or music while focusing only on the food. It’s a comforting moment. But when I cook for many people or prepare food together with others, things can get a little chaotic and busy. Still, I feel a great sense of joy when everything comes together on time – especially when everyone enjoys the meal. The memories made while cooking together often stay with me much longer than simply being served a meal.

Sharing a kitchen like that must’ve been a special, unforgettable time.
One time, my friends and I made pasta from scratch, but we totally underestimated how long it would take – we didn’t finish until just before midnight. Everyone was on the brink of starving. Maybe that’s why the food tasted even better! laughs

Glad it had a happy ending! laughs Do you have any rules you always follow when it comes to food?
I care a lot about the environmental impact of ingredients. Since becoming an adult, I’ve stuck to a vegetarian diet. I try to cook with local, organic, and seasonal produce whenever I can. But that doesn’t mean I never make exceptions or that I eat super healthy every day. I just do my best to make small efforts for the environment. When I eat with others, I try to respect their eating habits, too.

It's gotten chilly these days – what kind of food do you usually have around this time of year?
In gloomy February, I always make soup. I want something that warms me up from the inside. I like lentil or potato soup – it’s great for when you don’t have much time to cook or you’re short on money.

Sounds like a comforting and simple dish. What kind of meal feels truly satisfying to you?
Something easy to make and fun to eat – that’s it. Of course, it’s even better if it looks good, too, but I think sometimes the simplest dishes bring the greatest comfort.

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