Literature Critic Denis Scheck Honored with Pfälzer Saumagen-Orden

Scheck praises Helmut Kohl's culinary foresight and announces upcoming book exploring Franz Kafka's vegetarian preferences.

Denis Scheck, a renowned literature critic and journalist, will receive the Pfälzer Saumagen-Orden on January 28, 2025, for his contributions to culture and gastronomy.
Scheck defended the traditional German dish Saumagen, emphasizing its culinary value and praising former Chancellor Helmut Kohl for championing regional cuisine before it became trendy.
The Saumagen-Orden, awarded annually by the KG Schlotte carnival society, is a symbolic, non-edible replica of the dish made from rose quartz.
Scheck also announced his upcoming book, 'Kafkas Kochbuch,' co-authored with Eva Gritzmann, which will explore Franz Kafka's vegetarian diet and its cultural significance.
He highlighted the parallels between eating and reading as practices of mindfulness, encouraging greater appreciation and understanding of both.