Tabletop as art..... illy's latest cup continues it's creative ways. As TabletopJournal continues to say...."thoughtful" tabletop design does not necessarily mean complex...or expensive.

The illy Art Collection designed by Daniel Buren for Monumenta 2012 – four espresso cups in limited edition – draws on a visual pattern chosen by the artist in 1965 and which subsequently became his signature: alternating white and colored stripes (8.7 centimeters wide), inspired by the pattern of a type of drapery that was very popular at the time, and commonly used on awnings, deckchairs and pillows. The artist employs this “outil visuel” (visual tool) to redefine space and force the viewer to establish a new relationship with disparate places, monuments or objects and thereby changing the perception of reality.

Today Buren's “visual tool” decorates four black espresso cups with their increasingly wide saucers, akin to a tale being slowly unveiled, first revealing the white and then, with a twist, the green, yellow, red, and blue. The colors are "hidden" underneath the saucers themselves and re-draw both the single object and the whole composition.

To learn more about illy's Art Collection and it's Daniel Buren designs, go here:
http://www.illy.com/wps/wcm/connect/en/art/the-latest-cup

"Design is becoming extraordinarily important and people want their uniqueness, they want their own look. The idea of it is certainly starting to ramp up. These places are wanting to set themselves apart and make the crockery more of a part of the experience of their restaurant." says Australian tabeware importer and manufacturer Daniel Grundman of H.A.G. Australia in a just published article in Hospitality Magazine written by author Rosemary Ryan

TabletopJournal feels has been discussing for some time now - that tabletop, particularly the dinnerware, but all tabletop - plays a mjor role in defining the guest experience and helping to differentiate a restaurant. With white plates of all sizes, shapes, and quality (remember when square plates were "edgy"?) the tabletop area has become treated as almost a commodity area. I mean, since you have to have plates why not just get the cheapest white plates you can and be done with it. Right???

As restaurateurs more and more grasp the idea that they are not in the food & beverage business, but rather the dining experience business, they discover the need to make their dining experience unique and special. And while it is still true that in the theater of dining out, food & beverage are the leading stars, tabletop remains an exceptionally strong co-star. Like the great character actors whose name you cannot quite remember, great tabletop adds a sensory texture to the meal and the entire dining experience while remaining rather unobtrusive. And like those same great character actors that quietly elevate a movie's cimematic impact, it is the tabletop that often helps transform a "good" meal into a something far more memorable. The glassware, cutlery, dinnerware and serving pieces all have roles to play in elevating the overall dining experience. That's why TabletopJournal always trys to recognize and applaud the well-thought out tabletop.

So far now, we will continue our evangelistic journey to raise the conciousness and help tabletop gain its rightful respect in the role it plays in the guest experience. Thanks to author Ryan in joining us in this pursuit.

You can read Rosemary Ryan's entire article by going here:
http://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/management/an-appetite-for-colour-tabletop-trends?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Hospitality%20Newsletter%20MREC%20-%20send%20-%3E%2028/06/2012%202:27:09%20PM&utm_content=

Well Done.

Are we finally beginning a subtle move back to decorated dinnerware? Well, RAK Porcelain has introduced 4 new designs that offer chefs distinctive ways to differentiate their tabletops and enhance the dining experience for their guests.

Clockwise above (from far left):
YASMEEN: With its mineral shade, the YASMEEN collection reflects serenity. Both appeasing and contemporary, YASMEEN blends beautifully with RAK's Banquet collection to create a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.

CASTELLO: In shades of pastel colors, the CASTELLO collection brings out an atmosphere of hushed elegance, designed to create moments of mellowness.  CASTELLO beautifully links classicism and cocoon-like atmosphere.

TWEEG: Discrete and charming, the TWEEG product line exudes nature, greenery, and simplicity. It expresses exquisite freshness, a lightness of being whcih lets you drift off into another world.

1973: The 1973 design reminds us of a time when demands for freedom were born with the emergence of nonconformity resulting in a brightly colored design. This product line takes us on a journey back in time to the Seventies.

Hmmmm....coould it be that the RAK Porcelain folks are at the forefront of a new trend in decorated dinnerware? Could the high tide of white dinnerware finally be receding?

To see the entire collection of dinnerware products from RAK Porcelain, go here:   http://www.rakporcelain.com/