At the table with Lara Gessler - from kitchen to celebration

When looking for inspiration around the art of celebrating at the table, we couldn’t imagine not speaking with Lara Gessler - owner of the Słodki Słony patisserie, cookbook author, recent model, and mother of two. Raised in a family where food held deep meaning, she embodies the spirit of culinary celebration. We take a peek into her beautiful home in Warsaw and talk to her about the meaning of food, the joy of gathering around the table, her approach to cooking, and her favorite kitchenware.

Meals can be more than just food. What does the act of gathering around the table mean to you, especially in the everyday? Do you celebrate everyday meals?

 I was raised in the art of celebration. In my family, food is a language for expressing emotions, which is why for as long as I can remember we celebrated every event at the table. Additionally, I’ve always focused deeply on savoring every bite. When I eat, I don’t like to do other things at the same time. I hold food in high regard and enjoy experiencing it fully. That’s why even having breakfast alone is a mindfulness experience for me. The values that were passed down to me are ones I continue to uphold. As I raise my children, I love passing on to them the art of celebration. 

Food brings people together. Who tends to gather around your table to celebrate - family, friends, or both? Has that changed over the years?

People who also enjoy eating and for whom celebrating food is a joy and something meaningful - those are my kind of people. I wouldn’t really trust someone who doesn’t like to eat, and I definitely wouldn’t share my sensitivity with them. For me, food carries so much emotion that if I had to cut it out of my life, it would certainly feel much sadder. I’ve felt this way since childhood, and I’m showing the same to my children - I want them to share this value too.

Cooking can be chaotic - especially with kids or guests around. Do you embrace that chaos or prefer solitude in the kitchen?

I love cooking in silence, especially when I know my loved ones are out for a walk and will be back soon. But the truth is, there’s just as much order in me as there is chaos - and I see that chaos as my natural habitat. For me, it’s incredibly creative, I thrive in it and can’t imagine functioning any other way.

Is there a particular dish in your home that always feels festive, even on a regular weekday? Would you share a recipe?

Carbonara, anything with hollandaise sauce, and chicken broth. All of these dishes require a bit of focus, but they’re incredibly rewarding. My carbonara is always a mix of guanciale and pancetta, lots of freshly ground black pepper, a splash of wine, and of course, egg yolks and Parmesan.

How do you choose your kitchen tools, cookware, and tableware? Do these things matter to you - like finding just the right bowl or plate? Do you enjoy hunting for special pieces at vintage markets or using things passed down through generations?

I like when things have the potential to age well, so in my choices, I go for items of excellent quality - the kind that will last for years. Cast iron cookware and old objects with history are a perfect example of such things.