Nigella Lawson ensures hers never go out of fashion. Kylie Kwong is working on hers, while Jamie Oliver believes his are funky and fun. But we aren't talking recipes here! We are referring to an increasingly beautiful range of crockery that even celebrity chefs and designers are lending their names to. Closer home, designer Manish Arora has created a collection resplendent with his trademark cheery colours and kitschy look.
With crockery gaining such stature, it's hardly surprising that it's no longer about just serving food.
Gopal Sonthalia, director, Bhawani Corner Glassware says: “It's a matter of pride when you lay out a fantastic set of tableware. Most people want something that looks good, can be put in the oven, and has high durability.” He believes that despite the many patterns and designs flooding the market, the classic, plain, round dinner plates are ever popular. “Showy things aren't everlasting. People use sets in varied hues and shapes only till the novelty wears out,” he adds.
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Agrees Mickey Zaveri of Ishika, whose collection is available in Amethyst and comprises ceramic tableware with intricate work. “The first set one buys is always the round one. For the second, they opt for something different, but go back to using round plates with subtle designs. It's a good idea, because chips aren't visible on white,” she says. And, that's why Ishika's collection is not just in vibrant hues but also with patterns set against white. This season, the crockery designer is working on floral and herb motifs on porcelain. “For elegance, we employ traditional Indian designs such as swords, patta paintings, bidri motifs, and do a lot of gold-, platinum- and copper-plated work,” adds Mickey, whose idea of a nice dinner set is a white plate embellished with a motif, paired with a pretty coloured glass.
Not just exquisite designer pieces, the market has a whole lot of options in both Indian and international brands, easily available. Displaying the large collection he stocks, Sonthalia says that Corelle sells the most. But Luminarc, Pasabache, Ocean, Pyrex, and Bharat bone china are all doing well because every brand has something to satisfy every customer's needs. Clients often want something that they see on television cookery shows. That is one of the factors for the popularity of most brands, he says.
Since it's all about being chic and classy, steel and melamine plates are losing out to glass, ceramic and china. Says Navaz Currimbhoy of crockery chain Currimbhoys: “Another reason for this is, water has turned saline. The microwave oven too has changed everything.” No wonder Mickey has given the traditional but dowdy steel
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Not just plates, serving dishes and oven ware, glasses too are grabbing eyeballs. Gopal Kishore of EAGM Hotel and Catering Supplies India says: “This sector is mindboggling. There are different glasses for different drinks, as clients these days are very particular. For instance, there's nucleated glass from Arcoroc that comes with a cut at the base to keep aerated drinks fizzy for a long period.” Also, the spotlight now shifts from the delicately slender flutes to wine glasses with many shapes to satisfy fussy wine drinkers. “The most-sought-after brand we have is .8mm rimmed glass from Chef and Sommelier. It's believed to enhance the taste and the wine-tasting experience,” he adds.
Be it quarter plates, serving bowls, dessert bowls or pastry stands, crockery seems to be the rage when it comes to gifting options. Also, given the rise in prices of gold and silver, people realise tableware and cutlery are a great idea as it offers a flexible budget.
Though designer ware are expensive, the market offers a wide range — varying from bright, bold and sober to subtle and even crazy — of crockery at different prices. “There are glass sets starting at Rs. 200 for six and going up to even a few thousands. A Swarovski stem glass set of two costs Rs. 22,500; a Noritake set of contemporary fine and bone china costs about Rs. 45,000!” adds Sonthalia.
Small wonder, crockery is not just a style statement anymore, but often a collectible.