It’s incredibly soothing to watch clay being shaped and molded into plates, bowls, mugs, and cups, even with the pressure of knowing diners at some of the world’s best restaurants will be eating off of them. Ceramicist Jono Pandolfi and his team handcraft 300 pieces of ceramic dishware for top restaurants each day, with masterful attention to detail.
“There’s something beautiful about a handmade plate where each one is going to be one of a kind,” says Pandolfi. “We leave the minimal amount of handmade touch, and that’s always enough.”
From preparing chunks of clay, to cutting and molding shapes, to firing and glazing each piece — all individually and by hand — the team makes gorgeous products that get shipped to notable restaurants like New York City’s NoMad hotel and Eleven Madison Park.
“There’s definitely a rhythm to every day, there’s a lot of teamwork, coordination and communication,” Pandolfi says. “It makes us feel more connected to the world of restaurants that we are so interested in.”