Uter Konditoreibar

With love, air, and warm butter

Heute gönne ich mir zur Abwechslung mal ein zartschmelzendes Törtchen mit einem flüssigen Maracuja-Kern. Diese süße Nascherei ist nicht nur ein appetitlicher Hingucker, sondern auch ein himmlischer Gaumenschmaus. Eine wundervolle Geschmacksexplosion, die genussvoll auf der Zunge zergeht. Ich bin zu Besuch in der UTER Konditoreibar in der belebten und beliebten Fleischhauerstraße. Im Haus mit der Nummer 62 bietet der Konditor und Patissier Aurèle Uter seine eigenen Kreationen an.

It's Grandma's fault

Originally from beautiful Swabia, the young school leaver faced the question: what now? At his parents' persistent urging, he completed several internships, none of which sparked unbridled joy. When Aurèle presented his cousin with a homemade cake for her birthday, his enthusiastic grandmother suggested he try his hand at becoming a pastry chef. Luckily for all of us, he listened to his grandmother, completed an internship, and knew after just three days that baking was his true calling. After his apprenticeship in a traditional family business, where he learned the craft from the ground up, he set off to explore the world and finally settled in Lübeck in 2010.

Think big

After passing his master craftsman's exam and gaining valuable experience – including the early days of NORD at the European Hansemuseum and at Café Fräulein Brömse – Aurèle's desire for more creative freedom and the chance to try something of his own grew. What began as a dream gradually became reality – UTER. As I understand it, however, the business launch wasn't as smooth as the praline cream used to make his "Big Belgians." The opening was delayed by several months due to structural requirements, some of which only became apparent during the renovation process, as well as the lockdown and restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. These were challenges that Aurèle bravely overcame. He established a delivery service, which continues to be very popular, and maintained a strong personal connection with his customers throughout this difficult period. Customer loyalty at its best.

UTER – the pastry shop bar

Das Ambiente ist pur und klar – ein gewollter und bewusster Kontrast zu den verspielten Patisserie-Leckereien. Die Konditorei präsentiert sich als Platz im schlichten industrial style mit Hockern ohne Lehne, das von Mittwoch bis Sonntag von 9 bis 18 Uhr zufällig Vorbeischlendernde ebenso wie zahlreiche Stammkunden in den lässigen Innenraum lockt, wo der Blick durch die Glasscheibe auf den Arbeitsplatz des Konditormeisters in seiner Backstube fällt. Hier lässt sich hautnah erleben, wie die unfassbar leckeren Törtchen entstehen. So nahbar und warmherzig wie der Inhaber ist auch die Atmosphäre. Es soll und darf locker zugehen. „Come as you are“ lautet denn auch die Devise des Hauses. Manche Gäste kommen mehrmals pro Woche und genießen hier ein superleckeres Frühstück und die himmlischen Kreationen des Gastgebers ebenso wie den Blechkuchen wie man ihn vom Nachmittagskaffee bei Oma kennt.

It can't be done without warm butter.

Only natural, organic ingredients go into the dough. And it's also quite clear: cream, eggs, and butter are the magic ingredients for UTER's own creations. Room-temperature ingredients, by the way! "I always have a few kilos of warm butter lying around here. How else am I supposed to get air into the dough?" laughs the pastry chef. I'll have to remember that! Does he have any other tips? "It takes patience! Especially when it comes to preparing yeast dough. It's best to completely forget about the dough and let it rise undisturbed. Then it works. And yes! A cake definitely needs to cool in the pan." "Nur ned hudla," as they say in Swabia.

Where are we going?

The vibrant neighborhood on Fleischhauerstraße, which has become one of Lübeck's most popular shopping streets in recent years, is particularly dear to Aurèle. He wants to keep evolving, not stagnate. Lately, he's been receiving more and more requests for vegan treats. This prompted him to experiment and create. Now he offers a vegan cake that – as always – bears the master's signature. Personally, Aurèle wishes for more free time for things that interest him outside the bakery and space for inspiration to create ever more addictive sweets. This shouldn't be a problem for the chocolatier with the magic hands. After all, Aurèle's name means "the one made of gold."