Thank God It’s Friday: Miljuschka Witzenhausen

This week, Miljuschka gently spat in the face of the established magazine world again. With her magazine, she reaches more people than anyone else. All self-conceived and self-done. And the magazine is just one link in a chain of success. Cookbooks, an Instagram account that is creeping towards a million, and now a new TV show.

Dear Miljuschka, you are somewhat of an inverted fake baby. It's not like you rolled in on a golden wheelbarrow; everything, and I mean everything, you did yourself. Then you also have gifted children and a daughter with epilepsy, so your life is not the lightest that exists. So I bow. And deeply too. If you were to give your life a score today, what would it be and why?

‘A 7, because I have so much to be grateful for, as you already describe, but there are of course also many things over which I have no control and that sometimes weigh heavily on the situation like now, and I would like to see that differently.’

For 24Kitchen, you traveled to six European cities to give the best food tips there. Tell me everything. Where did you go and why did you choose these cities?

‘We looked for places you expect, but also for places you don’t expect. Paris is of course a no-brainer, that is the capital for culinary delights. Athens really surprised me, for example. In addition, we wanted to create a good mix between cities where you sit on the plane a bit longer and cities you can reach by train.’

There was undoubtedly a place that surprised you. Which city are you definitely going to visit again and which restaurant should I write down on my bucket list?

‘Athens surprised me the most, also because of the hospitality of the people there. You have a breakfast spot there, Stani, three generations already in the family, they make everything themselves. I have really never eaten such delicious Greek yogurt.’

How do you combine that kind of travel with your family and all your other activities? Or are you secretly working the whole time with your laptop open in the back of the production bus instead of enjoying the view?

‘Yes, absolutely. I am never not working. I try to organize my time as well as possible.’

From May 11, the series will be visible. Can I binge-watch them all at once or does 24Kitchen air one each week? And when should I be ready with pen and paper to take all your tips?

‘It will be broadcast weekly starting Saturday, May 11 at 8:30 PM. There will be a second season in the fall.’

Okay Miljuschka, back to this column. It’s Friday at 5:00 PM. Where are you, what are you doing, and is there something in your glass?

‘I drink hardly at all. In some cities, like Prague, that was quite a challenge. I had an appointment there at seven in the morning with the owner of a hotel. He looked very strange when I ordered a cup of tea; he was drinking a pint of beer. But generally, I’m comfortably at home with the kids at 5 PM on Fridays.’

What does an average Miljuschka weekend look like?

‘A lot revolves around my children's sports. If possible, I try to sleep in. Sleeping in for me nowadays is nine o'clock. I love to go into the vegetable garden or the orchard and I also do sports myself on the weekend. Additionally, of course, a lot of cooking!’

Suppose earthly matters like time difference, flight shame, money, and travel time don’t exist for a moment, what would your ideal weekend look like?

‘Starting in Amsterdam and then via Paris to New York? No, then I would go to Hong Kong!’

What do you like to read and listen to on the weekend?

‘I’m really into hormones these days, so I read a lot of studies about women and hormones. My playlist is really schizophrenic and goes in all directions: from 2Pac to Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa, but also classical music.’

I have read that when your children are with their father, you like to lie in bed all day with your loved one and eat Snickers and chips. Is that really true or have I really dreamed that?

‘That's right, but by now it’s no longer Snickers and chips, but then I order something nice or make it myself.’

I want to know from you, of all people, what you eat. From breakfast to dinner please and everything in between. Which restaurants are still on your bucket list?
‘What I eat depends a lot on my mood. I have a vegetable garden and when something has grown there, I make something delicious from it, like salad or soup. The barbecue weather is also coming back, which I love, but I also enjoy baking. So it goes a bit in all directions. I don’t dare to tackle real sourdough bread; that takes a long time and I often don’t have that time at home, but I think it’s amazing. I love to go to small restaurants where people cook with heart and soul. I find it difficult to point out one restaurant. I have been to a Michelin-starred restaurant where I didn’t think much of it. Bouchon du Centre, run by one person, I found fantastic.’

Are you someone who enjoys a Michelin-starred restaurant or do you prefer the I-recognize-what's-on-my-plate principle?

‘I find both principles beautiful, but I often find Michelin-starred restaurants too much fuss.’

Which podcasts are your favorites?

‘I actually don’t listen to many podcasts.’

Does Sunday have a different vibe than Saturday for you?

‘Yes, completely. Saturday is a bit party hardy, in the sense of still having a bit of action, and Sunday is really a chill day.’

And then Monday. What time does it start again and what are you going to do?

‘On Monday, I usually start at 6:00 AM, then I first make breakfast for the kids and then Monday is meeting day. Then I sit down with my team, we have all sorts of meetings where I can give my opinion, and then the team can continue.’