10 Questions for silke duda-koch
Silke Duda-Koch is a successful entrepreneur and mother of two children. She has overcome many challenges in her life and built her career. Focused not only on her academic training, but also on her skills and passion.
In this interview, we will ask Silke Duda-Koch ten questions to gain insight into her life as an entrepreneur and mother. We will talk about her experience starting her own business, her approach to the challenges of entrepreneurship, her balance between work and family, and her vision for the future.
Now let’s take a look at what insights Silke Duda-Koch will share with us.
My passion for gastronomy
My interest in gastronomy was sparked at an early age. As a child, I loved watching and helping my mother cook and bake. I was fascinated by how to make a delicious dish from individual ingredients.
Later, I also became interested in the different cuisines of the world. I enjoyed trying new dishes and was excited to see how different the flavors can be. I wanted to learn more about the art of cooking and became more and more curious.
For this reason, I trained as a cook and began my career in the restaurant business. I worked in different restaurants and hotels and learned a lot about different cuisines and cooking techniques.
I love to create new dishes and surprise my guests with them. For me, gastronomy is a wonderful way to express my creativity and make people happy.
- Passion
- Interest
- Cooking
- Flavors
- Career
- Curiosity
- Guests
- Creativity
- People
The inspiration behind my menu creations
From choosing the main ingredients to garnishing the dishes, there are many things that inspire me when I create a new menu. One of my biggest sources of inspiration is the season. I love working with fresh, seasonal ingredients and building my dishes around the flavors and textures of those products.
Another important factor in creating my menus are my customers. Each client has unique requests and preferences, from vegetarian options to specific food allergies. I take these requirements into consideration when designing my menus and work to delight all my customers with delicious and appealing dishes.
Another source of inspiration for me is the traditional cuisine of different countries and regions. I love exploring new ingredients and recipes and incorporating them into my menus. In this way I create a variety of dishes and flavors that keeps my customers coming back again and again.
- Inspired by the season
- Considering customer needs
- Traditional cuisine of different countries and regions
In the end, I am always looking for new inspiration and challenges. Creating menus is an art form for me, which allows me to combine my passion for food and creativity. I hope that my guests can feel this in every dish and that I can offer them a culinary experience they will never forget.
What’s your favorite dish to cook?
The question of my favorite dish to cook is difficult to answer, as I like to try many different dishes and don’t want to settle on just one. I like to try new recipes and experiment with different ingredients and spices.
One of my favorite dishes to cook, however, is homemade pasta. It is time-consuming, but it is definitely worth it. I love kneading the dough and then cutting it into different shapes. I prepare a delicious tomato sauce or a creamy carbonara sauce to go with it.
Another dish I like to cook is chili con carne. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for social evenings with friends. I like to prepare it with ground beef, kidney beans, peppers and tomatoes and season it with chili, cumin and paprika powder.
- homemade pasta
- Chili con carne
No matter which dish I choose, it is always important to me that it is healthy, balanced and delicious. I make sure to use fresh ingredients and to avoid ready-made products.
The importance of regional and seasonal ingredients for Silke Duda-Koch
Silke Duda-Koch is a passionate cook and attaches great importance to the use of regional and seasonal ingredients. She believes that the quality and flavorfulness of food depends greatly on its origin and ripening time. Using regional ingredients also allows you to support the regional economy and avoid unnecessary transportation.
When choosing her ingredients, Silke Duda-Koch also takes the season into account. She believes that it makes sense to adapt the menu to seasonal conditions. In summer, for example, we often have fresh salads and vegetable dishes, while in winter the menu tends to include hearty stews and casseroles.
Silke Duda-Koch knows that it’s not always easy to use only regional and seasonal ingredients. Depending on the season and region, some ingredients are simply not available. In such cases, it is important to find an alternative or adapt the dish accordingly.
- Regional and seasonal:
- Only the best:
- Support the economy:
Trends in the catering industry
The catering industry is constantly changing. With changing customer needs and the desire for a unique experience at the dinner table, new trends are emerging.
One of the ongoing trends is the use of sustainable and organic ingredients in food preparation. More and more people care about the origin of food and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Another trend that is emerging is the increasing popularity of vegetarian and vegan dishes, as many people want to avoid consuming meat for ethical, health or environmental reasons.
- Another trend is that many restaurants are expanding their regional beer offerings to meet customers’ needs Desire for a regional beer culture.
- Using technology to order and pay for food is also an evolving trend in the restaurant industry.
- Finally, the trend toward specialized restaurants that focus on a specific cuisine is expected to continue.
Overall, it can be said that the restaurant industry is always looking for innovative and creative ideas to meet the changing needs of customers.
The impact of the Corona pandemic on my business
The Corona pandemic had a massive impact on my business. As the owner of a small retail store, I had to close during the lockdown and therefore could not generate sales. Even after reopening, customer frequency was significantly lower than before.
Many customers were insecure and shied away from going into town. Online retailing was also booming, which meant that many customers preferred to make their purchases online. This made it even more difficult for me as a retailer to increase my sales.
To still attract and retain customers, I relied more on online marketing and social media. I optimized my website and offered shipping and delivery to reach out-of-town customers. In addition, it was important to create and implement a hygiene concept to give customers a sense of security.
- Retail business
- Lockdown
- Online retailing
- Online marketing
- Social media
- Website
- Shipping
- Delivery
- Hygiene concept
- Safety
Despite all these measures, I had to accept a decline in sales and was only able to barely survive the year 2020. The Corona pandemic has shown how important it is to be flexible and react quickly to changes. I am glad that I have been able to continue my business despite the difficulties and I hope that the situation will soon return to normal.
The challenges of being a restaurateur – Ten questions for Silke Duda-Koch
As a restaurateur, you have to deal with many challenges. One of the biggest challenges is to be successful in the marketplace. There is a lot of competition and customers have high expectations for food quality and service. It’s important to stay current and adapt to customers’ needs needs to be successful in the long run.
Another major problem is the labor market. It’s difficult to find qualified employees and also retain them for the long term. Working in the hospitality industry is demanding and requires a lot from employees. It is important to create a good working atmosphere and provide an attractive work environment to retain employees and attract new ones.
In addition, restaurateurs must be attuned to the needs of customers. Dietary needs have changed significantly in recent years. More and more people are watching what they eat and want healthy meals and vegan options. It is essential to recognize and respond to these needs if you want to be successful.
- An appealing ambience and a cozy atmosphere are also important factors. Restaurateurs need to choose décor, lighting and music carefully to create a pleasant environment where guests can feel comfortable.
- Marketing and advertising also play an important role in the restaurant business. It is important to build a strong brand and promote it specifically to attract new customers and retain existing ones.
- Another problem is the fluctuation of demand. It is difficult to plan staff and inventory to respond to demand at all times. It is important to have a good overview of bookings and orders in order to be able to react in time.
The hospitality industry is dynamic and demanding. It takes a lot of commitment and dedication to be successful. But if you can overcome these challenges, you can achieve a rewarding career and a fulfilling life’s work.
The importance of having a team of well-trained chefs and employees
A restaurant that offers a menu full of deliciousness but has a poor team of chefs and staff will not be successful in the long run. A team of well-trained chefs and staff is the backbone of a successful restaurant. They are the ones who deliver the quality of dishes and ensure customer service.
A good team of chefs and staff can also help the restaurant remain competitive. Collaboration and sharing of ideas can lead to the development of new dishes or innovative preparation techniques. A motivated and trained team can also help avoid negative reviews and ensure customer satisfaction.
- Motivation – A well-trained team can be motivated to work and perform to the best of their ability every day.
- Quality – they ensure the quality of the dishes and make sure they meet the customers’ needs expectations.
- Effectiveness – An effective team can help streamline operations and save time.
- Flexibility – To meet the demands of the restaurant, employees must be flexible and adaptable.
In short, the selection and training of staff in a restaurant is critical to its success. A well-trained, motivated, and effective team of chefs and staff can help ensure quality dishes, improve customer satisfaction, avoid negative reviews, and keep the restaurant competitive.
Tips for young chefs who want to pursue a career in the restaurant industry
The restaurant industry has many facets and offers a variety of career opportunities for young chefs. However, it takes hard work, perseverance and passion for the craft to be successful.
My first piece of advice is to never stop learning. A solid education is the foundation for a successful career in the restaurant industry. It is important to keep up to date and to educate yourself regularly.
Secondly, it is important to specialize in a certain area. Whether it’s a specific type of cuisine or a particular skill like baking, it’s important to be a specialist and differentiate yourself from other chefs.
Furthermore, one should work hard and not be afraid of working long hours. Working in the restaurant industry can be very demanding, both physically and mentally. It takes persistence and perseverance to be successful.
Lastly, it is important to network with other chefs and build a network. Networking well can help discover new opportunities and maximize career opportunities. Take responsibility, be open to feedback and stay hungry – both literally and figuratively.
My plans for the future
I have many future plans, but one of my main goals is to further my career. I want to work in the banking industry and develop my knowledge and skills in this area. I think this is a great opportunity to develop myself personally and professionally.
Another goal is to start a family. I think family is one of the most important things in life and I hope to have children in the future. Of course, this will be a big challenge, but I am ready to accept it and do everything to be a good mother and partner.
Another dream of mine is to see more of the world. I would like to get to know different countries and cultures and gain new experiences. Travel broadens horizons and I think it’s a great way to get to know myself better and grow.
- Career development
- Start a family
- Travel

Overall, I think it’s important to have goals and to always be moving forward. I am willing to work hard and pursue my dreams to make the most of my life.