FABIAN HAFËLI
Margaux: Let us begin with, where
were you born and raised ?
Fabian: There are many places on
this world to explore. At this
moment, every one is going to
Japan. Its defently a fascinating
place for Food and Photography.
Also the Middle East has quite an
extensive gastronomic culture.
Fabian: I born in Zürich Switzer-
land and raised in a small village
named Esslingen. Here is a
Humorous fact –
The name of the village includes
the German word for eating and the
hill close to where I grew up, is
called Pfannestiel which in English
signifies panhandle.
Margaux: Tell us about Design
art cuisine.
Fabian: Design food art has
always been a way to looking at
something. A region, an issue, etc.
and the how to´s of interpreting
this on a plate. Its kind of an art for
your soul, vision, taste and brain.
Margaux: Tell us about, what or
who were the catalysts that activa-
ted and inspired your profound
interest in photography ?
Margaux: Do you photograph
other subjects besides food and art
of plating presentations.
Fabian: My Grandfather. He gave
me a camera with some Ninja
Turtles for my birthday. He was
fascinated by Photography.
In my Work, I mostly take photo-
graphs of food. I take pictures of
Chef Portraits, go to Hotels and
take pictures of their interiors and
write editorials on the history of
restaurants predominately.
Margaux: Could you provide our
readership with a few pointers on
how to take a good photo of a plate
presentation ?
Fabian: There are no rules really,
just let the plates speak. For me the
most important thing is the light or
illumination.
Margaux: Tell us, since you are
most known for photographing
Michelin designed plate presenta-
tions, to what degree of importance
do you bring to food styling and
dressage of a presentation aestheti-
cally ?
Fabian: By sight, the light and the
angels ! Firstly, the styling of food
is the key of my work .. If the
food does not look appetising, I do
not want to take a picture of. It will
not be a good photograph.
Margaux: Where would you like
to travel to, as a photographic
dream trip and why ?
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