Throughout the year, Celebrating Luxembourg profiles the people who contribute positively to the grand duchy’s international reputation. 

Natalie Gerhardstein: What do you do for a living?

Anne Faber: I produce and present my cooking TV show and create the recipes. I do food photography, write and create cookbooks, do show cooking and cooking classes--all things food-related--and media.

If you were not a food entrepreneur, what would you do for a living?

I’d probably still work in journalism. I was working in media previously.

If you could highlight three major dates in your life, what would they be?

I moved to the UK in 2003 to study, and little did I know that I’d stay in the country for 12 years and embark on a super varied journalistic career out there--covering Kate and William’s wedding for ZDF, being part of the official filming crew at Jamaica house during the Olympics, and eating my way around London as a restaurant critic for Time Out London magazine.

In 2012 I managed to bag a book deal with Editions Schortgen...I then pitched a cooking show to RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg, filmed a pilot in my London kitchen, founded a TV production company, and ended up airing my first episode of “Anne’s Kitchen” in September 2013.

In 2015 I completed a two-month training course at Alain Ducasse in Paris, the highlight of which was meeting the chef himself and him referring to me as “ma nouvelle concurrente” when he flicked through a copy of my cookbook.

When was the last time you were proud of Luxembourg or of being a Luxembourger?

When Brexit happened my first thought was, “I am so glad I come from a country that embraces the EU.” I love the fact that Luxembourg is so international and open-minded--and that people from all kinds of backgrounds manage to live in harmony in this small country.

“I’m so glad I come from a country that embraces the EU,” says Anne. Photo: Véronique Kolber

When you talk about Luxembourg to non-Luxembourgers, what do they say?

Lots of silly comments, including, “The country is so small that the letters don’t fit into it on a map.” But generally, people abroad are super interested in finding out what Luxembourg is actually like. I now always travel with my latest cookbook, Home Sweet Home: My Luxembourg, as it’s full of pictures taken from around the country and gives a vivid--and yummy--first impression of Luxembourg. In Luxembourg, many expats want to find out about Luxembourg cuisine, so most conversations end up revolving around “Judd mat Gaardebounen” and “Kachkéis”.

Do you want to live abroad? After living abroad, what prompted you to return?

After 12 years of living in the UK, I just felt like it was enough. London had become more of an exhausting hassle than an exciting playground to me. It also made sense from a career point of view, as I had shifted all my focus on expanding on the Luxembourg market. I’ve been back for a year and a half now, and it’s become so international! Still, never say never: if the opportunity strikes, I might pack my bags again one day for adventures in a faraway land… 

Anne Faber takes her grand duchy-shaped cookie cutters with her when she travels. Photo: Véronique Kolber

In 2017, what will you do to ensure the slogan “Let’s make it happen” will happen?

I will continue developing my brand with a focus on promoting Luxembourg abroad. My recipes with a Luxembourg twist often catch the attention of my blog visitors from UK and Germany. Also my Luxembourg-shaped cookie cutters and Luxembourg cookbook have been “travelling around the world”, as many people end up buying them for friends abroad. I’m also still organizing culinary events with Luxembourg embassies abroad, like I did in Washington, D.C., Tokyo and Warsaw in past years, to give people abroad a taste of Luxembourg.

Celebrating Luxembourg

In 2017 Maison Moderne and Nvision celebrate Luxembourg by profiling 100 people who contribute positively to the country’s international reputation and brand image. The series will culminate in a gala evening on 13 December at Luxembourg Congrès. If you know somebody who you think deserves to be on the 100 list, let us know: [email protected].