Baking is more than just following a recipe; it’s a journey of learning, much like mastering any new skill. Lucie Franc de Ferriere, the founder of the charming East Village bakery From Lucie, discovered this profound connection firsthand. Growing up in France, Lucie learned the art of baking from her mother, assisting her in creating delightful desserts for their bed and breakfast guests. This early exposure laid the foundation for a passion that would eventually blossom into a career. However, it wasn’t until she moved to the bustling city of New York and stepped away from the art world that Lucie truly understood the personal joy and therapeutic focus she found in baking. It wasn’t just about recreating her mother’s recipes; it was about finding her own zone.
All of my worries go away, and I can spend hours and hours just focusing on baking. It brings so much peace, and I can just be myself and get into the zone.
Lucie eloquently compares baking to therapy, a sentiment that resonates deeply when you consider the focused attention and mindful presence it demands. “I always compare baking to therapy,” she shares, “I paint and draw a bit, too, but there’s something about when you put your heart into baking. It’s scientific, so you have to be very focused.” This focus, much like the concentration required when learning a new concept, allows worries to dissipate and a sense of calm to take over. In the fast-paced environment of New York City, baking became Lucie’s sanctuary, a space where she could simply be herself.
From Hobby to Flourishing Business: A Recipe for Success
Lucie’s journey from hobby baker to bakery owner wasn’t a meticulously planned career shift, but rather an organic evolution driven by passion and circumstance. While working in the art world, her friends became the fortunate recipients of her baking experiments. Their encouragement, bordering on playful exasperation, “You should start selling these,” planted a seed of an idea. The unexpected layoff during the COVID-19 pandemic became a pivotal moment. Amidst visa complications and a challenging job market, an opportunity arose unexpectedly through her fiancé’s restaurant, Sunday to Sunday.
It was special to see people finding a bit of joy in baked goods.
Initially, helping out at the restaurant’s takeout window with simple baked goods like banana bread and cookies was just a way to alleviate boredom. However, the positive response from customers, particularly during the isolating peak of the pandemic, ignited a new sense of purpose. “It started there…and eventually people started coming back for the banana bread and cookies,” Lucie recalls. This direct connection with people enjoying her creations brought immense joy and highlighted the power of baked goods to offer comfort and happiness, even in difficult times. The realization that she could bring “a bit of joy in baked goods” to others was a powerful motivator.
The Art and Science of Baking: Intuition and Precision in Equal Measure
Lucie’s approach to baking is a fascinating blend of intuition and scientific precision, mirroring the balance often needed in effective learning. She draws deep inspiration from her French roots and the sensory memories of her mother’s garden. “I get a lot of inspiration from my roots and where I’m from,” Lucie explains. Her creative process often begins with exploring flavor pairings, driven by a feeling or a particular ingredient that sparks her interest, like rosemary or ricotta. This intuitive phase is akin to brainstorming in learning – exploring ideas and possibilities before structuring knowledge.
“It’s a little bit of intuition and what I’m feeling in the moment, and then that’s where the science comes in,” she elaborates. This “science” is the meticulous aspect of baking, the precise measurements and techniques required to transform an idea into a perfect cake. Just as learning often requires structured study and practice to solidify understanding, baking demands accuracy and attention to detail, especially when scaling recipes for a bustling bakery. The ongoing process of refining recipes to meet the demands of her shop highlights the continuous learning and adaptation inherent in any craft, be it baking or mastering a new subject.
The Beauty of Imperfection: Embracing a Homemade Approach
The aesthetic of Lucie’s cakes is as distinctive as their flavor. Inspired by her mother’s rustic style, she embraces a homemade, slightly overflowing look, adorned with fresh, seasonal flowers. This approach reflects a valuable lesson applicable beyond baking: perfection isn’t always the goal. “A part of my cakes is that they’re homemade; they’re kind of overflowing and have fresh flowers. They don’t need to be perfect,” Lucie emphasizes. This acceptance of imperfection is liberating, both in baking and in learning. It encourages experimentation, creativity, and a focus on the genuine essence rather than flawless execution. Training her team to replicate this seemingly effortless, natural style with ever-changing seasonal flowers presents its own unique challenges, highlighting the complexities even within simplicity.
Lucie’s mother’s influence extends beyond recipes to a philosophy of incorporating nature into her creations. Growing up exploring her mother’s garden, Lucie learned about edible flowers and herbs, understanding their flavors and scents. “She would use a lot of chamomile and herbs in salads, so I learned, like, Oh, this is a thing, and you can eat them,” Lucie remembers. This early education instilled in her an appreciation for natural ingredients and a desire to bring that organic touch to her cakes, creating a sensory experience that goes beyond just taste.
Matcha Memories and Modern Tools: Blending Nostalgia with Innovation
The matcha cake, a signature creation, holds a special place in Lucie’s baking journey, connecting back to her early days baking from her apartment. Her friendship with the owners of MatchaBar led to the inspiration for this unique flavor combination. “One of the reasons I started making it was because I was friends with the owners of MatchaBar,” she explains. Experimenting with matcha in a cake proved to be a hit, particularly the matcha-and-white chocolate pairing, demonstrating the power of collaboration and open-mindedness in both baking and learning new things. Bringing back this nostalgic recipe reflects the value of revisiting and building upon past successes.
Lucie also appreciates the importance of quality tools that enhance the baking experience. She mentions using Little Sheet, Holy Sheet, and Stir Crazy from Great Jones, highlighting their functionality and aesthetic appeal. “I’ve realized, though, that there aren’t a lot of fun baking tools out there. That’s why I love these products,” she notes. Good tools, like effective learning resources, can make the process more enjoyable and efficient. Even something as simple as a measuring cup that withstands dishwashing, like the Beyond Measure, contributes to a smoother and more pleasant baking experience.
It adds more fun to my day-to-day baking.
The joy Lucie finds in using well-designed baking tools echoes the sentiment that the right environment and resources are crucial for fostering a love of learning. Just as stylish and functional tools “add more fun to my day-to-day baking,” engaging and effective learning materials can transform the educational journey into a more enjoyable and rewarding experience.
A Recipe for the Future: Continuous Growth and Innovation
Looking ahead, Lucie is excited to continue evolving her bakery, experimenting with new flavors and cake styles for the summer. The introduction of pastries like lemon-thyme bars demonstrates her commitment to innovation and expanding her offerings. Just as learning is a lifelong pursuit, Lucie’s baking journey is one of continuous growth and exploration. Whether it’s developing new recipes, training her team, or simply finding peace in the focused act of baking, Lucie Franc de Ferriere’s story beautifully illustrates the parallels between the art of baking and the fulfilling process of learning and personal development. When You Compare Learning To Baking A Cake, you realize both are about passion, precision, creativity, and finding joy in the process of creation.
