Sometimes the best ideas emerge almost casually. In a week that was already tightly scheduled—with a kickoff at RICHARTZ on Monday, a public holiday in Mannheim on Tuesday, and the start of PSI on Wednesday—a simple question arose: why not use the holiday to spend time together? Why not consciously create space for each other, away from meetings, numbers, and presentations?

The answer came quickly—and turned into a special team experience. On Tuesday, part of our team met in Düsseldorf for a shared cooking event at Canonicus with Ingo Köthschneider. A chef many know from the trade fair and appreciate not only for his cuisine, but above all for his ability to bring people together.

Colleagues from different departments were joined by a trusted industry partner. Together, they chopped, cooked, laughed, and of course enjoyed the food. In a relaxed atmosphere, conversations emerged that often don’t find room in everyday work life—new perspectives were shared, and a strong sense of togetherness developed.

The idea for the cooking event didn’t come out of nowhere. In previous years, we have organized cooking classes with Ingo several times for customers and colleagues during PSI—always with great success. Lots of fun, meaningful conversations, and excellent food were always part of the experience. It was only natural to bring this format to life internally as well.

The result was more than just a shared evening: it was time for one another, space for exchange, and an experience that truly connects. These are the moments that make team culture tangible.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part—and a special thanks to Ingo Köthschneider for an inspiring time in the kitchen. This is what team spirit feels like.