The founder of Kuchentratsch Katharina Mayer with a cake in her hand in front of the bakery in Munich

Kuchentratsch

Cake, just like grandma's

Katharina Mayer from Munich wanted cake like her grandmother's, which led her to found Kuchentratsch (Cake Gossip) in 2014. The result was not only excellent cake, but also happy pensioners who have a job and who are able to make new friends.

It is one of those backyards in Munich where the beloved character Pumuckl would have felt most comfortable. A squirrel scurries under the garage roof, and in the middle sits an old bathtub, which is beautifully planted in summer. Here, not far from the city’s central station is the Kuchentratsch’s bakery , now a reasonably well-known company from Munich. The founder Katharina Mayer had a pretty good idea right after finishing her business studies aged just 24: “I spent a lot of time abroad and always missed my grandma's cake. After all, it is known to taste the best – and so I thought: “Why not sell cakes made by grandmas and grandpas?

That was in 2014, when it all started in a rented canteen – with her own grandmother and a few friends who came on board to help Katharina. Six years later, roughly 60 pensioners are baking for Kuchentratsch. Most of the grandmothers and grandfathers arrive once a week and work a four-hour shift. The groups are self-organised and always consist of the same five or six individuals. Those who simply like to bake cakes together and gossip about life’s rich tapestry. When one of them is sick, they feel for the other. Carpooling leads to friendship – and sometimes even joint holidays.

The recipes for the cakes come from the grandmothers and grandfathers. The most popular is the carrot cake with cream cheese topping made by grandma Irmgard. “At Christmas I always look forward to our eggnog gingerbread, I could eat it all year round. And I can't get enough of Regina's nut-chocolate cake either, although we've had it in our own selection for four years now” explains founder Katharina Mayer with delight. But, of course, in an ever-growing company, not every grandma can bake just one kind of cake – so everyone manages everything in their shift.

Carpooling leads to friendship – and sometimes even joint holidays.

Grandma Rosemarie's slip of paper today includes a vegan poppy seed crumble cake, a “Beerentraum” (berry dream) and six nut cakes. She loves to make fruit cakes – the Beerentraum was even named after her. Baking vegan cakes is not her thing: “I don't like margarine. It's all we had after the war. And all I wanted back then was bread and butter.” On her baking table lies a butter pretzel – her breakfast. On days when she makes her way to Kuchentratsch, she gets up at 6:30. Because she lives near Augsburg and needs an hour and a half to get to Munich.

Rosemarie gets a discount on the ticket, because she was one of the first female train drivers in Germany. For her family at that time, it was something of a scandal. When she got her hands on a flyer of cake gossip during her retirement, she immediately got in touch and offered a sample cake: "I've always loved baking. I love to do something with my hands, even though I have arthritis and am almost 80 years old." But you can't let it bring you down. Rosemarie keeps away from people who only talk about illness. She's radiant, and you can't really tell how old she is.

In any one day in the bakery roughly 70 cakes are made in two shifts. They are then taken by the delivery grandpas to more than 20 Munich cafés as well as to private households or companies – and even by post to all of Germany in recent times. This works surprisingly well thanks to a specially developed type of packaging in which the cakes cannot slip around. The Kuchentratsch team got the money for the development of the new boxes thanks to a deal following an appearance on the entrepreneur’s TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen” (“The Lion's Den”). The idea was presented there in 2018.

"There is simply a lack of contact points for elderly people in Germany – not everyone wants to go on a coffee tour!”
Katharina Mayer

In the meantime, this small Munich start-up has become a real company. The idea has grown with Katharina. It was not just the television appearance and the following media reports that helped Kuchentratsch to attract a lot of attention. In the last six years two baking books with recipes from the grandmas and grandpas have been published, and courses and workshops are also offered in the bakery. Katharina and her team also take care of the cake buffet at weddings upon request. And right now she is working on a baking mix for which the grandmas are developing the recipes. So everyone can bake the delicious cake at home.

The twelve ovens at Kuchentratsch are constantly in use. It smells of warm berries and chocolate, of nuts and dough. Alongside the bakery, nearly ten full-time employees work in the office – where it is slowly becoming crowded on the 200 sqm of space located on Landsberger Strasse. But finding an even larger property in Munich is no easy task. The bakery is not only a venue, workplace, office and logistics centre, but also a place where customers can pick up their ordered cake here directly or try a piece in the mini-café on site. “It would be great if we had a location at the Viktualienmarkt (food market) one day – central, but still with an air of tradition. We simply lack walk-in customers here” says the founder.

Katharina Mayer previously dealt with plenty of demographic change during her studies. The topic of finding new contacts and friends in particular is often difficult for older people, she explains. “I once read that there are senior citizens who buy things at a department store simply to bring them back the next day. Not because they have no money for the things, but because they are so lonely. There is simply a lack of contact points for elderly people in Germany – not everyone wants to go on a coffee tour!”

Perhaps the nicest thing about Kuchentratsch is the fact that the elderly team members once again have the feeling that they are needed. This not only gives them a new sense of courage to face life, but also keeps them healthy: coming out of their homes, having a job. In addition, the seniors citizens can meet each other here – establish new contacts, make new friends, and ultimately no longer feel lonely. Some have been here for years. They all know each other; in a way, they seem a bit like a school class that has simply grown a little old. When Grandpa Boris comes into the bakery and turns up the volume when Take That is on or some sort of romantic rock music, everyone laughs. For some, Kuchentratsch has become something of a second home.

www.kuchentratsch.com

 

 

Text: Anja Schauberger; Photos: Frank Stolle
Flowers in the Werneckstraße in the district Schwabing in Munich.

Love letter to Munich spring

Alfresco

As soon as the first spring-like temperatures arrive in Munich, the city's restaurants and cafés begin the big chair shuffle.

As soon as the first spring-like temperatures arrive in Munich, the city's restaurants and cafés begin the big chair shuffle. A convergence on a gastronomic social phenomenon.

Two hiker are on a mountain ridge near Munich.

For latecomer lovers of the mountains

After-work hiking

Getting out into nature quickly: no problem in Munich, even in the afternoon. Five hiking tours for late risers and after-work athletes.

Getting out into nature quickly: no problem in Munich, even in the afternoon. Five hiking tours for late risers and after-work athletes.

Stephanie Zürn standing in the door of her store Capricorn Store in Munich.

Second-hand shops in Munich

Big names second-hand

Second-hand designer fashion is not only easy on the wallet but also on the environment. We have the best addresses in Munich for shopping.

Second-hand designer fashion is not only easy on the wallet but also on the environment. We have the best addresses in Munich for shopping.

An exhibit in a museum in Munich.

Five artworks of the artist presented

Best of Ingo Maurer

The world-famous lamp designer Ingo Maurer was closely connected with Munich. Let us introduce his five most successful and stunningly beautiful lamps.

The world-famous lamp designer Ingo Maurer was closely connected with Munich. Let us introduce his five most successful and stunningly beautiful lamps.

The founder of Kuchentratsch Katharina Mayer with a cake in her hand in front of the bakery in Munich

Kuchentratsch

Cake like grandma's

Katharina Mayer wished for cake like grandmother's and founded Kuchentratsch. Today almost 60 senior citizens bake in the Munich bakery.

Katharina Mayer wished for cake like grandmother's and founded Kuchentratsch. Today almost 60 senior citizens bake in the Munich bakery.

Merchant with dried fruit on the Viktualienmarkt in Munich.
Viktualienmarkt Tasting Tour

Discover the most delicious delicacies of the city and learn all kinds of interesting facts about Munich's most famous food market.

Book now for 40 €!

Discover the most delicious delicacies of the city and learn all kinds of interesting historical facts about Munich's most famous food market.

Three copies of the official Munich city guide are slightly stacked on top of each other so that the image of the Frauenkirche remains visible on each one.
Official Munich City Guide

With our new city guide, you can take a relaxed stroll through the most beautiful neighbourhoods and discover insider tips from our guides - from sights to hidden highlights. Order now free of shipping costs!  a

Order now for 8,90€ incl. shipping!

With our new city guide, you can take a relaxed stroll through the most beautiful neighbourhoods and discover insider tips from our guides.

With our new city guide, you can take a relaxed stroll through the most beautiful neighbourhoods and discover insider tips from our guides - from sights to hidden highlights. Order now free of shipping costs!

Panoramic view of the Munich Christmas market at Marienplatz.
Christmas Market Tour

Get in the mood for Christmas on this tour through the old town in the wonderful atmosphere of fragrant almonds and glittering lights.

Book now for 30 €!

Get in the mood for Christmas on this tour through the old town in the wonderful atmosphere of fragrant almonds and glittering lights.

Get in the mood for Christmas on this tour through the old town in the wonderful atmosphere of fragrant almonds and glittering lights.

View of a residence serenade with candles in the court chapel.
Residenz Serenades

This Munich experience promises high culture for newcomers and enthusiasts: enjoy the popular Mozart concerts in the Residenz.

Book now from 38 €

This Munich experience promises high culture for newcomers and enthusiasts: enjoy the popular Mozart concerts in the Residenz.

Exterior view of the Munich Palace of Justice on Prielmayerstraße in Maxvorstadt.
Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Book now for 20 €!

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich
New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 22 €

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.
Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich
Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Book now for 18 €!

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.
Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Book now for 22 €!

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".
Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Book now!

Street Art-Tour

Did you know that Munich was a pioneer of the European graffiti scene? Discover different art up close in the city with our street art tour today!

Experience the city's diverse art & exciting graffiti on our street art tour!

Did you know that Munich was a pioneer of the European graffiti scene? Discover different art up close in the city with our street art tour today!

View of the Salzach river and the castle in Salzburg.
Salzburg and the Lake District

Visit the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

Book now from 58 €

Visit the birthplace of composer extraordinaire Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, stroll through the Baroque old town and then relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Order now!

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bikes stand in the green grass in the English Garden in Munich
Rental bike 1 day

With a rental bike, you can experience Munich at your own personal pace. Discover hidden alleys and charming districts off the beaten track.

Book now for 26 €!

With a rental bike, you can experience Munich at your own personal pace. Discover hidden alleys and charming districts off the beaten track.

A woman in the exhibition "Der Blaue Reiter" in the Lenbachhaus in Munich
Discovery trip incl. City Pass

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

3 days from 313 € for 2 Pers.

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

Bag on green background
Vouchers

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.