Design inspiration from the sea…

It all starts with the food for both, Artifaqt Serveware and world class chefs. John traveled to Le Bernardin in NYC to collaborate with Eric Ripert and his culinary team, to create this line of serveware. Eric was looking for serveware that was as right and as special as the creative and deliberate alloys and juxtapositions that become his oceanic bites of wow. The groundwork was intensely fun - ideas flying - chefs talking food, taste and experience - John tasting(!), designing and refining. Here are the results, pleasing eyes and palates.

We started with platters to butler canapés to guests in at Le Bernardin Privé, their private dining room. Eric disappeared into the walk-in refrigerator and came out with a box containing scallop and oyster shells, seaweed and octopus tentacles. “Please take this with you for inspiration.”

Eric asked me if I had enough time to stay as his guest for dinner. I accepted and asked if it would be possible for me to stand at the pass and observe for an hour. Fast forward - Five canapé platter designs were in service soon thereafter with a gleaming finish that can withstand the rigors of a commercial dishwasher.

Canapé Tower

To stay in the upper ranks of the restaurant world you need constant innovation and newness. In 2017, Le Bernardin was looking to add more “wow” to their canapé course in the chef’s tasting and we got the call. Their direction to us - New York glamour- Sexy - Timeless

Knowing that our work would soon serve the first course to every dinner guest at Le Bernardin made me a little nervous until I created the core shape that stood on its own nicely. I had two main thoughts; Le Bernardin’s mantra, “the fish is the star of the plate” and, for me, NYC is all about architecture which led to the tower which then incorporated the ebb and flow of a breaking wave. Eric liked both aspects and that it evoked a fish tail. All of that initial inspiration gets folded into all of the practicality and durability issues and – voilà!

I like our designs to stay quiet with the belief that they will be more durable or timeless. I completely believe this about furniture. With serveware, the opportunity to go funky exists but I like to, again, stay quiet, letting the materials and finishes we source have a strong voice. Particularly with Eric, our work must stage but always bring the food forward to the guest. Sure, the Canapés Tower has unique presence but the bright food colors pop and the taste is the swoon.