TV star Horst Lichter delights audience at his reading in Bad Berleburg. Known publicly as a lively and outspoken host of “Bares for Rares,” the Rhineland native impressed at the New Capitol with his warm personality and quieter, more thoughtful tone.
“Quiet! Lichter! Heartfelt!” – this might best describe the appearance of the popular TV chef and presenter Horst Lichter, echoing his former cooking show “Lafer! Lichter! Lecker!”, at the New Capitol in Bad Berleburg. In the Odeborn town, the 62-year-old, widely appreciated for his wit and cheerful nature, captivated the audience during a reading from his new book “Time for Friendship?!” with remarkable empathy, restraint, and unexpected depth.
His arrival was as unpretentious as his performance: traveling independently without fanfare, the prominent guest first took a relaxed walk through the town. He then presented himself just as modest, approachable, and appreciative to the 135 visitors in the sold-out venue – for many, the event felt like a belated Christmas gift.
Originally scheduled for December 12, the reading had to be postponed due to illness. “Horst Lichter up close,” said Andreas Wolf, chairman of the cultural association, describing the star after the event. Lichter himself referred to his nature as that of a “people person,” admitting he simply cannot pretend to be anything else. This authenticity was especially evident during the book signing, where he took time for each guest, offering personal conversations, selfies, and even video messages.
During the reading, Lichter guided the audience through the complex topic of friendship in an engaging and reflective way. Does he collect friends like classic cars or tin toys? Or does a life on the road come at the cost of loneliness? In his autobiographical book, he shares insights into friendships that lasted, failed, or remain difficult to define.
On stage, he did far more than read passages – he moved around, sharing personal anecdotes from his childhood, his close relationship with his cousin Elke, his school years, his culinary training, and even his part-time job at an ice cream parlor. “Work brings money, but work is also work,” he noted, reflecting on his upbringing as the son of a miner.
His breakthrough TV show “Lafer! Lichter! Lecker!” (2006–2017) was also discussed. Are his fellow TV chefs his friends? Lichter answered honestly: “No, we are colleagues, nothing more.” His long-running success with “Bares for Rares” was also highlighted: “In eleven years, I have greeted over 18,000 people and shaken each of their hands.”
Just as viewers know him from television – friendly, respectful, and grounded – he appeared in person at the New Capitol. He was particularly impressed by the venue’s concept of combining cinema, hotel, and restaurant under one roof. “Who came up with this?” he asked, clearly impressed, before praising the kitchen team: “You’re doing a great job.”
At the end of the evening, there was unanimous agreement: Horst Lichter had delivered a truly memorable performance. “It was simply wonderful and moving. Guests left with smiles on their faces. There’s nothing better, especially in times like these,” said organizer Monika Schröder. She added one final highlight: “Horst Lichter would love to come back.”
Sometimes, it is the quiet tones that resonate the loudest.