Last September Joe asked me to make plates for his restaurant Duchy Grub. He didn't want to decide on shapes or sizes, instead he just asked me to make lots of different plates and bowls. It started off with minimalistic plates and bowls in different sizes, but soon enough Joe wanted me to experiment more. I made doughnut plates, started hand building plates, made wonky plates on purpose and even chipped some plates (before firing). It was amazing to get this creative freedom and challenge myself to make unique items. They've got a small sharing menu and these plates and bowls are used to serve the food.
As Duchy Grub is focused on sustainability and local food Joe really wanted me to include some sea glass on the plates. When using sea glass on ceramics it melts in the kiln, but it comes out with tiny cracks, which makes it not food safe. Instead of putting the sea glass on the plate itself I started throwing plates with a double rim for the sea glass, or made little welts on the plates or rims.
Over the last couple of months Joe visits me regularly in the studio to pick up new plates and bowls. He always comes up with new ideas, challenging me again to try something new. I'm really enjoying how we're bouncing of each other. Although I'm the only one making the tableware it feels like we're collaborating.
Every time I eat at Duchy Grub I get inspired by the flavours & colours of their food. It's also so good to see my plates & bowls again. I made so many different ones and seeing them in a restaurant setting with the tastiest food inspires me to make more.