Artisan to Table
curated by tom colicchio
photographed by joseph de leo
Tom Colicchio in the Craft
private dining room kitchen. Plates
by Jono Pandolfi, DH&M Copper Pans,
Amy Lund Woven Placemat.
“It’s about supporting dying arts – and
particularly so domestically. As a country we’ve become
conditioned to following the dollar; that for
the artisan is a very hard industry.
This is one of the reasons that I’m attracted
to and I’ve partnered with DARA. They’ve created
a marketplace that artisans can take advantage of.
It’s one thing to produce products, it’s quite another to
navigate the business of it: It’s complicated
and cutthroat. Artisans shouldn’t have to think about
logistics like marketing while they are at work.
DARA has not only created a platform for these artisans,
but they’re ensuring they are well represented
and have the financial support to keep doing what
they’re doing. Without a marketplace,
these great things can’t exist.”
Tom holding a Simon Pearce Nesting Bowl,
Farmhouse Pottery Pitcher filled with Wooden Spoons by Sir Madam,
Farmhouse Pottery Bowl, Knives by NHB Knifework.
Tom cooking with Westwind
Orchard Honey Apple Cider Vinegar.
DH&M Copper Cookware,
Jono Pandolfi Plate, Cliff Spencer
Cutting Board, Farmhouse
Pottery Pitcher, Jim Franco Bowl
Westwind Orchard Apple
Cider Vinegar, Andrew Pearce
Cherry Wood Bowl,
Jim Franco Ceramic Bowls,
NHB Knifework Knife
“Looking at the history and meaning
of Craft the restaurant is a good place to start.
I really believe cooking is a craft, and you
have to be a craftsman first before you are an artist:
This restaurant is an expression of that.
But also, it’s this idea of the craftsman, that person
who gravitates towards working with
their hands. They are keeping some sort of technique
or tradition alive. The experience of making
and forming something by hand, that individual
commitment – versus something that is done
by a machine – is something I’ve always been attracted
to. And I think, partly, that’s the reason why
I am chef. I’m still much more interested in the
process by which you create something
than anything else”.
Opposite: Simon Pearce Baking Dishes and
Nesting Bowls. Below: Andrew Pearce Cherry Wood Bowls,
Dominik Woods Cuttting Board, Sir Madam Wooden
Spoons and NHB Knifeworks Knives.
“The experience of making
and forming something by hand . . .
is something I’ve always
been attracted to”
“I’ve always been interested in
artisan to table, probably even unconsciously.
For example, when I shop for my home
or, to a certain extent, the restaurant, I want
something that feels like it has been
touched by hand versus a machine. If I am looking
for knives, I want to find something that
is unique, that hasn’t been mass-produced.
If I am looking for furniture, I want to know that
it was someone who made that piece,
not a large company that produced it. That is
what I am looking for; I want to know that
there are people behind it, who that person is,
and why they are attracted to that craft.
I think those stories are all part of the fabric
that makes for good design.”
Left: Hand Woven Placemats by Amy Lund.
Below: Jim Franco Bowls and Vitrifiedstudio Vases.
