What started as a hobby soon evolved. With each beautifully crafted dish, they realized there was something more to explore, so they began hosting intimate dinners, first for friends and family, then for curious strangers drawn to their edible works of art.

We sat down with Ana and Andreea to learn more about their journey into food design, the inspiration behind their creations, and the dream they’re now chasing. And yes, we’re writing this while savoring one of their delicious dishes, and it’s every bit as good as it looks. Trust us, you’ll want to check them out.

1. WHAT WOULD MAKE YOUR SOUL SING? WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

A.U.: My husband. My animals. My morning coffee. And all of my projects. Kids playing outsite and a carefree day by the sea. A good mid-day nap. A cig and a good amaretto sour. Freshly ironed clothes and catching the right light when taking a photo. When my intuition is right. And a good laugh with my friends. Whist nights with my family. And hosting. Gathering people, creating an atmosphere, and going the extra mile.

A.L.: Being surrounded by the people I love and care about - my family, my boyfriend, my friends. And my dog. Plus, a good coffee outdoors on a slow sunday, cooking something delicious and enjoying it on the balcony, soaking in the sun, getting lost in a topic and research it for hours, discovering a new place etc. The kind of everyday magic.

2. A CHILDHOOD STORY THAT ANNOUNCED THE CREATIVE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY

A.U.: I grew up around art, but not in a sophisticated way. My parents never collected art, they basically made it. My dad used to paint, sculpt, write poems and bring home all the crazy-looking stuff. My mom was the ultimate host: cooking, setting the playlist, decorating the room. Super extra for every birthday.

There were always a lot of friends around. Fifteen teens sharing literally the same bed. My parents’ house was “the spot,” and I loved it. So did they. Even when I was playing as a kid, I wasn’t the creator, I was the organizer. When it comes to creation, I can easily identify trends and build on inspiration. I think my creativity lives in organizing and curating experiences from head to toe.

A.L.: I don't really have any, but I remember I said I wanted to be an explorer when I grow up (and I meant the one with a compass and a map). It turns out I am actually doing this, just different. I like to dive deep into ideas, concepts, stories. When I get interested into a topic, I explore everything about it and that's all that's on my mind for a period of time. When something sparks my curiosity, I like to go all in and that's where sometimes the best ideas come to life. I was also into writing fiction as a kid. I don't do that now, but I treat every project like one. There's always a narrative, some characters, a journey and a deeper meaning to uncover.

3. BEST CONTEXT EVER FOR INSPIRATION WAS

A.U.: Just being in nature and letting myself wander. I had an “aha” moment at the immersive competition at Cannes Film Festival this year. I went alone and completely immersed myself in the virtual reality experiences. Just interacting with another form of art felt like a stepping stone for my current projects.

A.L.: I get inspiration in the most random moments and contexts, you should really see my notes app :)) I try to put everything there and I also have a notebook where I write almost everyday - sometimes it's just basic things, but other times there might be messy sketches or sparks of something bigger. Ideas don't wait for the perfect timing.

4. THE PROJECT YOU LOVED MOST

Both: Right now, we truly have lots on our plate, but by far the project we love most, and the one that others love too, is Lots x Bites. God bless there are a lot of bites we can try.

We met at a volunteering NGO and we instantly clicked. Everything just worked. Seamless, no drama, efficient (and fun!). We both had Instagram accounts, mostly for journaling, not exposure. Ana’s page focused on growing her husband’s talent in cooking and her own hosting skills. Andrea had both.

One day Andreea just asked, “Would you be up for cooking together?” One coffee later, we had a full-blown project planned.

We started organizing pop-up dinners, bringing sharp minds to the table, sparking bold conversations, curating atmospheres, and giving people a space to connect. We call it experience curation. It taps into our organizing skills and feeds our creativity. It gives us energy instead of draining it, and that tells us we’re doing something right.

5. THE PROJECT OTHERS LOVED MOST

Both: We think people really resonate with projects that feel authentic and not just trendy - so we hope lots x bites will be loved for that!

6. THE BEST THING ABOUT ROMANIAN CREATIVITY IS

A.U.: We’re incredibly resourceful and inventive. We also have a saying “omul te dă afară pe ușă și tu intri pe geam” and it refers to someone who refuses to give up or keeps coming back despite being rejected, removed, or discouraged

A.L.: I think the "doing things-our own way" energy. Sure we get inspiration from others, but we still manage to maintain this authentic layer underneath.

7. BEST STATEMENT OF ROMANIAN HUMOR

A.U.: We have a saying: “haz de necaz”. It captures our morbid jokes with dry punchlines. Think Latin energy meets Eastern European attitude.

AL: "Las ca merge si asa" - chaotic, low-key brilliant and weirdly effective sometimes for people stuck in a perfectionism loop.

8. ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEADHUNTERS, RELATED TO ROMANIAN CREATIVES

A.U.: We’re driven by optimization and efficiency. There’s a vibrant cultural movement here and an art scene that’s full of potential. Basically a market that is about to blow.

A.L.: Keep an open mind and enjoy cultural clashes - good things might come out of them.

9. BEST PLACE IN BUCHAREST

A.U.: My cozy apartment. And Cișmigiu Gardens. Trofic Coffee Shop. Deschis Gastrobar.

A.L..: For eating, I recently discovered Ierbar and I love it.

For drinks, Ginoteca as I am a big gin & tonic fan.

For fresh bread, DeSoi is the winner for me.

For coffee, Mabo!

And I always go to Carturesti Carusel/Verona just to wander around - bookshops some kind of safe space for me.

10. BEST PLACE IN YOUR COUNTRY

A.U.: My hometown beach in Corabia, Olt.

A.L.: I personally love Cluj-Napoca, I spent a month there during the pandemic and returned many times just to visit - I love the chill vibe (I am not really chill so I notice it even more) and their food scene!

11. MOST DISTURBING CLICHÉ ABOUT ROMANIA, IN THE MEDIA OUTLETS OF THE WORLD IS

A.U.: The association with thieves and beggars. It's frustrating and reductive. Romania is often portrayed through a single, negative lens that ignores the complexity, talent, and resilience of the people who live here. This stereotype has real consequences and it affects how we're perceived abroad, how Romanian creatives are treated, and how opportunities are distributed.

Of course, like any country, we have social challenges. But we also have engineers building global tech products, artists pushing boundaries, doctors making miracles, and communities that are generous, warm, and deeply connected. To reduce all that richness to a tired cliché is not only unfair, it's lazy

A.L.: That we are somehow stuck in the past - while there is a lot of innovation going on and a lot of small artists and entrepreneurs that are doing unique things - unfortunately they don't always make the headlines.

12. ROMANIA SHOULD BE KNOWN FOR

A.U.: Hospitality and kind people. The power of communities and caring for those around you. For tolerance, fast reactions, and humor. For smart and adaptable people.

A.L.: Its hospitality. The unspoken way we make other feel welcome.

13. YOUR VIEWS ON SPIRITUALITY

A.U.: I believe in kindness and in the idea that what you put out comes back to you. That soulmates exist, and it would be a shame to meet only once in a lifetime. What’s yours is set aside for you and there are energies out there that match your own.

A.L.: Spirituality is personal. Whatever you believe in, as long as it feels good for you, that's what matters.

14. YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY

A.U.: It’s the most important tool you can have. And when the right tools are in the hands of the right people, the world gets better.

A.L.: Money is an outlet and if used with purpose it can open up incredible things - not just for yourself, but for the people and the causes you care about.

15. AN INSPIRATION SOURCE YOU RECOMMEND FOR A YOUNG CREATIVE

A.U.: Abstract concepts that push you to think beyond what’s clear. Conceptual art. Philosophy. Anything that looks like a mess until you give it meaning, like finding shapes in the clouds. Also: whatever isn’t in your field. If you’re a bridge engineer, read about gymnastics biomechanics, you might find something incredible about balance. Pick a random topic in the room and link it to the problems you’re already solving.

Actually, the idea of building a community around food and bold topics came to me after watching a documentary about wild horses. Pretty random, ik.

A.L.: If we are talking about digital ones, I love Substack and that's my daily scrolling activity lately. Other than that, at least one day per month, take  yourself out to an "artistic" date - either visiting an art gallery, strolling around a local bookshop, going for a walk, eating in a new restaurant - but approach this experience in a creative way and try to notice things you usually won't. I think you can find inspiration anywhere if you know to pay attention.

BIO: Ana Ungureanu and Andreea Lupu are two women from Bucharest who share a deep love for cooking and bringing joy to others through food. Although their professional careers took different paths, their mutual passion led them to create two foodie Instagram accounts: @lotsonmyplate and @bitesyoushouldtry.