Category Metals
Beatriz Ball
Bestsellers Beatriz Ball knows metal. Here, she gives some insight into the category Is there a consumer appetite/ demand for metalware at the moment? I started my company more than 30 years ago because of a perceived appetite for handmade metal products that were food and ovensafe, easy to care for, required no polishing and were beautifully crafted. After my first home show sold out in a matter of minutes, I knew I was on to something. At the time, this segment of the metalware market was new, now it is an established category. As a metalware designer/supplier what types of challenges are you facing on the current market? My metal products are all manufactured in my foundry in Mexico, and the Mexican peso has become really, really strong versus the dollar, so everything we do costs us more. It is a huge challenge! Where do your metal products sell well? My metal products sell well wherever there is a tradition of entertaining. In the United States, the Southeast and Texas are the regions with the greatest sales.
MacKenzieChilds www.mackenzie-childs.com The bestselling enamelware collection from MacKenzie-Childs is Courtly Check, featuring black and white checks. This pattern was first launched as an enamelware collection in 1993 as part of the Camp MacKenzie-Childs collection. TheCourtly Check teapot is one of the brand’s bestsellers from the series featuring hand-painted checks and a carved faux-cinnabar knob. MacKenzieChilds dinnerware collection includes several sets of cutlery featuring check and ceramic handles. The popular Check Flatware is available in two finishes: Silver and Gold. Both cutlery sets are made from stainless steel, but the gold set features 24K Gold plated handles. Distributed in the UK and Europe by Lewis Wark.
Forge de Laguiole Forge de Laguiole has reimagined its butter knife. The Buré butter knife has been adorned with an elegant walnut wood handle. Natural and refined, it's perfect for tables with a simple, warm style. This spreader stands upright and becomes an indispensable accessory from aperitif to dessert for spreading all kinds of delicacies.
www.forge-de-laguiole.com
Robbe & Berking Robbe & Berking’s popular champagne cooler and ice bucket in the Martelé hammered pattern is a true celebration of silversmithing. Every single facet of the characteristic hammer-blow pattern has been driven by hand into the champagne cooler and the ice bucket. This makes each piece truly unique and, as mentioned, a masterpiece of silversmithing. The high conductivity of the silver ensures the silver quickly takes on the temperature of the ice and thus offers a particularly long-lasting and effective cooling effect. www.robbeberking.com
Metalware’s popularity grows in HoReCa
Josh Rammell, marketing manager, Utopia tells us about a growth in the demand for metal products… Is there a consumer appetite/demand for metalware at the moment? Demand for metalware has been growing in recent years and is a key part of the service of many of Utopia’s customers. It’s a simple way to create a distinctive presentation for a variety of cuisines. Our metalware designs range from cast iron ware, for oven to table services, to copper dishes that create a dramatic and luxurious serve for sharing menus. What types of challenges are you facing on the current market? The main issue is getting restaurants and their 36 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL
patrons used to using metal for serving, as this has traditionally been dominated by ceramicware. Metalware has slightly different considerations for use in foodservice, for example if using hot cast iron ware for chef to table serves, you also need wooden boards to protect tablecloths etc. It is important to provide education and support to any customer buying metalware. Where do your metal products sell well? Utopia sells metalware to a wide range of restaurants and bars. Fast casual and independent restaurants are two big segments where it is a popular choice.