Food is the spice of life, not just fuel

At Červený Jelen, we believe that food is not just a necessity, but also a joy, a memory, and an adventure. And it is exactly this philosophy that our head chef, Marek Fichtner, has now captured in his very first cookbook – A Cookbook Seasoned with Life.

The book will be published in autumn 2025 by Mladá fronta and features 80 recipes inspired by the courtyard, the garden, the water, and the forest. Marek selected dishes that have become staples of our restaurant over the past seven years—meals our guests loved so much that they earned a place within the pages of this book.

“I have hundreds of recipes, but for this cookbook I chose only the ones that have truly stood the test of time at Červený Jelen. I wanted the recipes to be simple for any home cook to follow, with ingredients that are easy to find. My goal is for this book to bring joy even to those who want to relax in the kitchen, not stress,” says Marek Fichtner.

A book that smells of courtyards, gardens, and forests

The recipes are divided into four chapters – Courtyard, Garden, Water, and Forest. Each reflects an environment close to Marek’s heart and offers unique flavors and memories.

• In the Courtyard, you’ll find hearty meat dishes – such as Viennese Tafelspitz, stuffed dumplings, or lamb shank braised in wine.

• The Garden chapter is filled with vegetarian dishes that will surprise even devoted meat lovers – like a beetroot and goat cheese burger, fried cheese dumplings, or red lentil moussaka.

• Water brings fish and seafood – from Czech pike-perch to beer-battered cod and mussels in wine.

• And in the Forest, you’ll discover what makes Červený Jelen so distinctive – game, mushrooms, and forest fruits. Dishes include deconstructed potato soup with slippery jacks, venison haunch with creamy sauce, or blueberry cream rolls.

“Here in the Czech Republic, we have outstanding game. If anything is truly organic, it’s meat from the Czech forest. That’s why it had to be part of the cookbook,” adds Marek.

Marek AND HIS STORY

The book is more than just a collection of recipes. Each chapter also contains personal memories and reflections. Marek shares stories about his childhood in Adršpach, his experiences working on ocean liners, in luxury hotels, and even cooking for the King of Saudi Arabia.

“Food is a wonderful thing. It’s social. It’s not just fuel. I always wanted to create a cookbook that isn’t complicated or dry, but one with a soul. A book that could inspire even someone who has never cooked from recipes before,” says Marek.

We are proud

For us at Červený Jelen, this book is more than just a cookbook. It is an imprint of our restaurant’s philosophy – a combination of honesty, simplicity, and the joy of food. We are proud that the recipes born in our kitchen can now make their way into your homes.

You can buy A Cookbook Seasoned with Life in all good bookstores, or directly at Červený Jelen – even signed by Marek Fichtner himself. And if you’re lucky enough to meet Marek in person, he’ll be more than happy to dedicate the book just for you.

📕 A Cookbook Seasoned with Life by Marek Fichtner, published by Mladá fronta (September 2025), 192 pages