Studio Beurre
Portrait · Potter & Cook
Bringing Art and Food together
Lea, the creative force behind Studio Beurre, combines her love for cooking and ceramics in a way that brings art and food together. Her journey from studying food science in Italy to becoming a self-employed chef and ceramic artist reflects her dedication to quality and craftsmanship. In our interview, Lea discusses the inspiration behind her dual passions, the joy of creating with her hands, and how she finds fulfillment in the simple act of bringing people together through her work. Discover how Lea’s unique approach shapes everything she creates, from the plate to the table.
Tell us a little about yourself...
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I'm a chef and ceramic artist living in Berlin. My work allows me to be creative every day and to bring my ideas to life. My goal is to bridge the gap between these two disciplines and unite them on the table. I love gatherings—full tables with abundant plates and lively conversations make me extremely happy. At the same time, I often crave the solitude of sitting alone with a book in a café or by the water in the morning, with time just for myself.
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You are both a chef and a ceramic artist. How did you discover these two passions?
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My life has always revolved around food. As a child, there was nothing better for me than going to the market with my dad on Saturdays and planning meals for the upcoming week together. After finishing school, I studied food science in northern Italy. Three years in the land of indulgence, surrounded by other young people passionate about good food, had a huge impact on me. To gain more practical knowledge, I completed a chef's apprenticeship back in Germany. Since then, I've lived and worked in Berlin. Being a chef is hard work, but it makes me happy, and I believe I've found a way to work independently and focus on special events that suit me well.
Out of curiosity and in search of a balance to kitchen work, I took a course in a ceramics studio in 2020. I never thought that working with clay would have such a lasting impact on me, but it laid the foundation for an ongoing journey of discovery that continues to bring me great joy.
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Did it take courage to turn your passion into your profession?
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Yes, it took a huge amount of courage. For me, it was especially difficult to let go of the idea of building a scientific career. I long thought that academia was my path, and it was a painful process to realize that my passion was primarily for hands-on work. At the same time, deciding to work creatively lifted a great burden off me—it feels like my true path, real and right. Still, it takes courage every day to be self-employed.
What drives you?
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I want to create a product of the highest quality. My goal is to cook with the best ingredients because then my work takes on a strong social aspect. By shopping at markets, talking to producers, and supporting good and important projects, I feel like I'm closing the circle more than if my work were solely focused on the final product. I invest a lot of time in my ceramics pieces. Often, they sit on my workbench for so long, and I polish them a little here and there, that I develop a real relationship with the object. Being able to work creatively and artistically every day is a great privilege—it makes me happy and drives me.
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In what moments are you completely at peace with yourself?
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I love long-distance running—the feeling that my body carries me and just keeps moving is indescribably empowering. Or when I can cook leisurely, for friends or my partner, and slowly add the ingredients to the pot, letting them simmer for hours. In those moments, I feel content.
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What does a perfect day look like for you?
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For me, there are many different versions of a perfect day, but elements that almost always guarantee a perfect day for me are: getting up early (which doesn’t always happen), practicing Pilates, yoga, or running, having coffee on the balcony, and checking if new ripe strawberries are hanging on the bushes. Working freely in some way, whether it’s pottery or cooking, meeting friends for coffee, or lying in the park. Listening to a good podcast or continuing to read my book, and at the end of the day, feeling like I’ve accomplished a lot.
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Do you have daily rituals that give you a moment of calm?
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One thing I look forward to the night before is grinding coffee with my hand grinder and brewing it in the AeroPress the next morning. The smell of coffee that fills the kitchen radiates warmth and gives a sense of home—no matter where I am.
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Honestly, what is your relationship with social media like?
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I just got my weekly screen time stats on my phone. I know I spend too much time on the device, and yet the result shocks me every time. I try to be on Instagram less and create my own little rules to help with that. In the end, though, I also feel that I "need" the platform for my small business—so much good has come from it for me, and I’m always inspired and excited by new things I discover. I can clearly feel that I do better when I’ve spent the day in nature and maybe even left my phone at home.
What would you like more of in your life?
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This ties directly to the previous question: I wish for more time in nature. Hiking, walking through a forest, listening to birds sing, jumping into a cold lake—all these things feel so alive and grounding and are sometimes missing in the metropolis of Berlin.
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And what would you like less of?
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Turning down my imposter syndrome a bit would do me good.
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Why did you choose Berlin as your city, and what do you find particularly appealing about it?
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When I take the bus from Neukölln towards the city center, I know exactly why I like Berlin. It’s like a journey through many different cities. The bustling Sonnenallee, dotted with great Arabic supermarkets and bakeries, becomes Urbanstraße in the slightly quieter Kreuzberg, with cafes, yoga studios, and small boutiques, until you eventually end up in Mitte, with its grand buildings, wide streets, and elegant restaurants with white tablecloths. I love the mix of different cultures, the diverse cityscape, the blend of old Berlin and new influences.
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What are your favorite places in Berlin?
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I love lying in Körnerpark in Neukölln—the park could be in Paris, it’s beautiful. My favorite café is Companion Coffee; I’m there almost every day. I enjoy walking through the government district—I love the water, the large squares, and the impressive buildings. I adore my weekly markets, in Schillerkiez, at Hermannplatz or in Markthalle 9.
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A book and film recommendation that inspires you...
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I’m currently dipping in and out of short stories from the book Kummer aller Art by Mariana Leky and appreciate her sharp and witty portrayal of banal everyday situations. I have a soft spot for the sentimental, and I really like the movie Call Me by Your Name by Luca Guadagnino.
