Sampere. Handcrafted ceramics with Mediterranean character
Sampere is a brand of tableware to accompany the experience that chefs and restaurants transmit in their dishes.
All their pieces are designed and manufactured in La Bisbal d'Empordà with high quality stoneware and following a 100% handmade process. Each piece is unique, as are the experiences of the more than 50 Michelin-starred restaurants that use their tableware...
© Alejandro Moneo
Tell us about yourself and your work. Where did your vocation start? Any first memories?
My name is Diego Sampere, I am a ceramist and a lover of good food. These two passions led me to open an artisan pottery workshop in La Bisbal d'Empordà, a village with a long history in ceramics, and we are dedicated to making tableware for restaurants.
What do you find most satisfying about your work, and any that you are particularly proud of?
Our process is 100% handmade and our vision as a company, although small, is to raise awareness of these trades that have been disappearing in recent decades. We are proud to do our bit for the ceramist's trade and to be able to be on the tables of the best restaurants in the world. Currently, and we are very proud of it, we are in +50 Michelin-starred restaurants.
© Alejandro Moneo
What is your creative process like? What are your sources of inspiration?
We are inspired by the Mediterranean and its landscapes. Since I was a child I have always spent my summer holidays in the Empordà area and that is why we decided to open our workshop in La Bisbal d'Empordà. Our tableware collections are inspired by very Mediterranean colours.
Favourite colour, book, film and record - in that order! ;D
Colour: Green
Book: Any mystery novel
Movie: I love the Lord of the Rings series 😉
Music: The National, Guitarricadelafuente
Is your home a reflection of who you are? Tell us what it smells like, your favourite corner, your favourite decorative object or piece of furniture, if you treasure a collection...
Our workshop is a reflection of what we are and what we want to be. As I said, our mission is to raise awareness of the ceramist's craft and that is why our workshop is completely open to the public, where you can see the whole process of making a dinner service. People really appreciate it.
I don't have a particular favourite corner because having a workshop like the one we have managed to set up is a dream come true. Every corner has its own charm 😉.
© Meritxell Arjalaguer
If you could buy anything right now and take it home, what would it be? Anything!
I'm a hardware store freak. Every time I go into one I could buy 100 machines and tools 😉.
A great plan at home always includes...
Preparing a rice dish with friends in Cala Estreta, a small beach where we usually go.
Do you have a signature dish?
Rice dishes. The truth is that they come out quite well 😉.
Where is your favourite place in your city and abroad?
In my town, La Bisbal, my favourite place is my workshop. In the area, the beach of Cala Estreta.
Abroad, I loved my trip to Japan. It was wonderful.
© Meritxell Arjalaguer
Visit their website at www.samperebarcelona.com and follow them on Instagram @sampere_barcelona.
