You don't see them straight away. But nothing would work without them. Ralf, Helge, Andrej, Marek, Benjamin and Alex are part of the team that makes sure everything runs smoothly in this market hall. Stalls are set up, light bulbs are lit, electricity is on, doors are oiled, steps are sanded, sinks are installed. No market operation is possible without the janitorial staff - they are the well-coordinated team in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the market: more important than the salt in the soup, the cherry on the cake or the icing on top.

One of them is Alex: sunshine, whirlwind, all-round (at least a little bit) expert, gourmet - and it's hard to imagine the hall without him. He has been part of the team for almost ten years, always on the move between the cellar, building sites and market events. Knows everyone, solves every problem.

His path to Markthalle Neun was not straightforward. For a while, he was unable to find a permanent job and made ends meet with work opportunities - one of which took him to the former Prinzessinnengärten on Moritzplatz. There he helped with the gardening and sold flowers at the weekly market in the hall on Saturdays. A former janitor discovered him: ‘You're a good one - we're looking for someone here. One trial day later, it was clear that he was a good fit. Alex has been here ever since. Every day. And he loves it: ‘I can't imagine a better place to work. Being needed by so many nice people - that's great. And the food is great too!’

6.30 a.m., the day begins. While people are still sleeping outside, it's already busy inside. Sweeping entrances, starting the machines, mopping corridors - the hall wakes up, and Alex with it. The processes are in place, as is the teamwork. Master janitor Ralf tells Alex what needs to be done: ‘Spackle the staircase, set up the children's playground - and we'll have a barbecue from 2 pm.’ A sentence that resonates with work ethic, but also anticipation.

Alex immediately heads down to the basement in the direction of the maintenance workshop. Anyone passing by is greeted warmly and with a broad grin. Yesterday he mended the wooden marble run - today he is loosening the clamps and checking that everything is in place. Then the neighbour's children can marble around again. ‘I don't care whether I'm repairing something, cleaning the toilets or wiping down tables. I always think service-orientated! I do my job as tidily as I would like to have it for myself.’ At 7.30 a.m., when the rough stuff is done, breakfast is served in the office. The egg cooker is steaming, house handyman Helge is also there, the team sits together. Alex has a Domberger sandwich with sriracha sauce today. Gourmet. ‘My favourite food is buffalo mozzarella - but that's not something I get every day, of course. It doesn't have to be. The main thing is that it tastes good and energises me until lunchtime.’

His love of food didn't just develop in the hall. Growing up between Wilmersdorf, Beeskow and Bad Saarow, Alex is not only a skilled craftsman, but also a culinary connoisseur: ‘My whole family loves cooking, starting with my grandma Hermi. She had all these great old Silesian recipes - sour eggs, bigos, solyanka and her own creations. My father made the best roulades and I learnt my cooking skills from him and Grandma Hermi.’ Much to the delight of Benita, who works at the Beet & Baum stand. A few years ago, you could regularly spot small bouquets of flowers on her counter - discreet greetings from Alex. The two have since become a couple. One of the many little stories that take place in the hall. Alex's father has summarised his grandmother Hermi's recipes in a book. ‘Hermi's Kitchen Secrets’ keeps the culinary heritage and love for Grandma Hermi alive. Alex is proud to show the book to market visitors and the team.

Food brings and keeps people together, that's for sure. The janitor team is no different. Breakfast and lunch are often spent together - on Tuesdays, the whole team, including Kochschule Neun and market management, get together. Breaks are often spent in the garage courtyard right next to the hall. A hidden gem. The janitor team regularly meets here for barbecues, and flowers and vegetables grow in raised beds - built by Alex and his colleagues. A bee pasture has just been planted and the first colony will soon be moving in. The non-profit Kochschule Neun will also soon be gardening and beekeeping here with children from the neighbourhood. There is a table and two benches under the lilac tree - a favourite break from screwing, hammering, sweeping and mopping for the janitors.

You don't always see them - but you notice when they're missing: in a wobbly table, an uncleaned spot or a missing portion of good humour. The work is often quiet and almost invisible among all the colourful stalls and people - but it makes the work of bakers, brewers, traders and butchers possible. Fortunately, they are there. Every day. From early to late, reliably, with Sriracha or mozzarella bread in hand - or on Fridays with minced pork sandwiches from Kumpel & Keule. Always with an eye for the big picture. The janitor team at Markthalle Neun.

Text: Carina Reckers