Jules Leroy: from barrel maker to a ceramicist collaborating with local chefs

Jules Leroy, a Young Ambassador at Homo Faber Event 2022, grew up in France immersed in craftsmanship. His paternal grandfather was a stone carver and his maternal grandfather had a passion for wood carving. Jules whittled away many hours playing in his grandfather’s workshop with tools and learning the basics of wood working. His father, Richard Leroy, is a winemaker near Angers who specializes in biodynamic wines. This background cultivated in Jules a love of craftsmanship and a respect for the soil and his local countryside. School proved to be a challenge for the young craftsman who yearned to use his hands and mind to create rather than to study. After a brief stint as a carpenter apprentice, he joined Les Compagnons du Devoir as a trainee barrel maker at the age of 16. For six years he followed apprenticeships in different workshops in France, from Burgundy to Cognac, and as far away as Sterling in Scotland, where he repaired barrels for a distillery. Then Covid-19 arrived and the workshop closed, forcing Jules to return home and take some time off. This proved to be a turning point, reflection led him to a potter’s wheel and he spent his days teaching himself ceramic techniques and experimenting. Wind the clock forward to today, Jules is now collaborating with local restaurants to create dinnerware.

How is your craft linked to your home region?

I source my clay locally from the earth by hand. I have a deep respect for the local nature, which underpins my making philosophy. I avoid the use of cobalt to ensure my ceramic creations are environmentally friendly. My region has a strong culinary culture which has influenced my choice to make ceramics for culinary professionals.

How is your craft linked to gastronomy?

I am passionate about food and in awe of the mastery of different cuisines. I have always wanted to develop this interest and ceramics has opened a door into the world of gastronomy. I collaborate with chefs to create bespoke ceramic dinnerware. I enjoy the challenge of interpreting a chef’s vision and transforming it into a collection that represents their vision and identity.

Have you got any collaborations planned for the future?

Yes,  I am currently collaborating with a one star Michelin restaurant in the tiny village where I live. I have made four different models. In total the collection will compose of 30 pieces created using a process of layering glazes, it’s complex but results in unique finishes. I’m very excited about this project. I’ve also just begun a collaboration with a pastry chef in Angers.

What techniques do you use?

I’m fascinated by Chinese and Japanese ceramic techniques. This stems from my love of the Chinese tea culture, an interest I uncovered when I was 11. I have spent hours watching Japanese masters on Youtube to learn how to shape and glaze pottery.

How did your experience as a Young Ambassador at Homo Faber Event 2022 impact your craft journey?

At Homo Faber Event I was engaging with visitors in the 12 Stone Garden exhibition, which showcased the masterpieces of 12 Japanese National Living Treasures. It was an honour to be in this space, discovering more about the ancestral techniques behind each exhibit. I became fascinated by a video of Zenzo Fukushima wheel turning, the more I watched it, the more captivated I was by his gestures, the way he touched the clay. Meeting master artisans and other Young Ambassadors and hearing about their projects gave me the motivation to follow my craft ambitions.

What are the common values between craftsmanship and gastronomy?

For me, cuisine is a craftsmanship and an important part of our cultural heritage. Both master chefs and master artisans share many common ideals, they are both searching to create something using their imagination, skill and passion. When the two worlds meet, there is at once a human connection as each seeks to understand the other and a combining of two art forms which elevate each other. The harmony between the two is what makes the results special and impactful.