The idea of this blog is to share ideas for using hand-made pots to serve good food.

Eating with friends and family is one of life’s greatest pleasures. I hope to show how the warmth and character of hand made ceramics can really enhance the pleasure of cooking, serving and eating food.

This blog will include pots from other potters as well as my own and recipes for the food which I enjoy, hoping that you will like it too.

Monday 28 April 2014

Pots from Japan

I returned from Japan just over a month ago and have been enjoying some of the pots which I bought when I was there.

I bought these two bowls by Yoshihisa Okamoto in Mashiko.  I like his work very much.  The decoration is so simple and they are lovely to use for things like a small salad.



I was given this beautiful bowl by Ken Matsuzaki who was also very generous with his time and knowledge when I visited his workshop.  He took me to visit his brother who makes lacquerware.  He gave me a chunky little sake cup in lacquerware. He explained the advantage over a ceramic sake cup is that when you get very drunk and drop it, it doesn’t break.  The colour is wonderful and it feels good to hold.  I look forward to getting some sake to try it out.



When I was in Kyushu, I spent some time with Masahiro Kumagae, who exhibited in England last summer.  I like his new work very much.  This is a yunomi (japanese tea cup) with his new glaze.  It is good in the hand and shows his very fluid throwing style.



Now I have to make more pots for food, inspired by all the wonderful meals I had in Japan.

It is always good to experience the respect they have for hand-made pots in cafes and restaurants as well as in people’s homes.  Hand-made pots definitely increase the joy of eating.

Monday 14 April 2014

Visit to Japan


This is a picture from my exhibition in Shozando Gallery in Fukuoka, Japan.  I was there two years ago and it was wonderful to be back.

I gave a bowl to the chef and his wife at Zero, the restaurant next door to the gallery, where we had two delicious meals.  This is what they did with it!  It was very good and makes me want to give away more pots.


It partly explains why I haven’t been posting on the blog for far too long.  I realize that I can’t travel without my laptop any more. 

This is their famous lunch platter.  Just as good as ever.  A real symphony of colour and taste, beautifully presented.