In conversation with Michael Adam
Veteran Adlershofer and a service worker at Leibik Catering & Event GmbH
“Radiate joy and you will receive it doubly.” Michael Adam, a veteran Adlershofer and a service worker at Leibik Catering & Event GmbH, was able to test his life motto in practice at the Technology Park for decades: “Yes, it works. I can’t walk down the street without people saying hello to me constantly,” he says, not without pride. The 65-year-old will retire in May.
Adlershof Journal: What was your career path like and what brought you to Adlershof?
MICHAEL ADAM: Originally, I wanted to become a ship cook for a commercial fleet. I completed an apprenticeship to become a cook at one of the best places in Cottbus and then worked at various restaurants. I later studied Handelsökonomie, international commerce in East Germany (the GDR). In any case, I didn’t end up going to sea. However, it did lead me to Adlershof in 1982, where I worked at the in-house kitchen of the GDR’s Academy of the Sciences, which was then located right next to the Wind Tunnel. After the Wall fell, I ended up at “Reichelt”, a supermarket chain, where I was this far from building a proper career for myself. But Adlershof beckoned again in 1996: The “Hummel”, German for bumblebee and the name of the canteen at the start-up centre, was looking for a head waiter. I worked at the Adlershof canteen for 19 years. Eight years ago, towards the end of my working life, I started again at Leibik Catering and found a new home.
How did you experience the Technology Park’s development since 1996?
That time left a lasting impression on me. The Technology Park Adlershof and Berlin both developed rapidly: As a caterer, I took part in more foundation stone events, topping-out ceremonies, and openings than I can count. On some days, we would have several large events. It took considerable guts to persevere, but if the guests were happy I was, too. I would like to thank everyone who made my work so easy.
Any specific events that stayed in mind?
I vividly remember the motto events, African, Irish, and Australian, which were perfectly organised down to the last detail, readings at “Hummel”, or the annual receptions of WISTA Management GmbH. One time, I borrowed the original jacket of Willi Schwabe from Adlershof’s props and costume department for a job. He was a legendary TV host with a show called “Rumpelkammer”. I’m an extrovert so I love this type of stuff (laughs). I remember doing catering at the dissection room of Charité, at Deutsche Bank, at the Zoological Garden right next to the hippos, or between the kilns at the Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin. I have served governing mayors, district mayors, chancellors, prime ministers, ambassadors, and senators and have fond memories of it all.
Surely something must have gone wrong at some point?
I remember once just before an event started, a topping-out ceremony, the catering trolleys with all the food fell into a drainage trough. We cooked the entire buffet again and nobody noticed. At another event, catering for 70 people, we had to deliver everything to the seventh floor while the elevator was out – I've never been so exhausted in my life! Personally, the most important thing to me was that the guests didn’t know how I was feeling. They should feel perfectly pampered. I think it worked.
You are retiring soon. Do you have any plans for that time?
Countless plans. Have I mentioned I always wanted to play the drums? I would definitely like to join a samba band. I’d love to explore the Baltic States and Scandinavia with my e-bike. I also want to take more time to read, take a ballroom dance class with my wife, and exercise more.
Peggy Mory for Adlershof Journal