Hot cuisine - chilli, garlic & herbs

by Sabine Schemken

With this motif, I wanted to capture all the energy of an aromatic kitchen. Bright red and green chillies, whole young garlic, halved bulbs, sprigs of thyme and bay leaves lie on an old, dark, used baking tray. The ingredients are not arranged in a sterile way, but as if they were about to be cooked - as if a fiery pasta sauce, oven vegetables or an oriental stew were about to be made.

What fascinates me about scenes like this is the mixture of colour and texture: the smooth skin of the chillies, the fine lines in the garlic, the delicate leaves of the thyme. You almost don't need a scent to realise that something spicy and strong is being created here. The light is deliberately set in a "dark moody" style: the background remains rough and dark, while the red and green tones of the ingredients glow intensely and take on depth.

This picture symbolises joie de vivre, enjoyment and a pinch of spiciness - in the truest sense of the word. It is ideal for kitchens, dining areas, delicatessens, bistros or restaurants that want to showcase their love of good ingredients. As a wall mural, it immediately brings warmth and culinary inspiration into the room and appeals to anyone who loves cooking, seasoning and discovering new flavours.