URBAN GUIDE

Glass blowers, potters and ceramists design unique tableware to showcase delicate dishes.

Artisan meets artisan and their talents combine to turn a dinner table into a work of art. Some chefs, always on the lookout for new sensations, bring in the best ceramists or glass workers to add to the appeal. «To begin with it was my wife Geneviève who thought of asking Céline Cayrol, a ceramist in Arles, to design the tableware,» says Jean-André Charial, owner of L’Oustau de Baumanière. Since then, chef Glenn Viel has taken up the idea and worked with Céline Cayrol to design ceramic ware to harmonise with the work of Alain Gaillard, glassblower in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, and Joël Rebière, whose wrought iron olive trees decorate the tables. It’s the recipe that decides what kind of tableware is needed and it’s up to the craft worker to create something extra special. Many restaurants now take this approach. Lionel Lévy at L’Alcyone has his name engraved on a knife designed by Marseille artist Sofi Urbani; the boat-shaped folding knife, called the Calanquais, is a really lovely piece of pared-back design. Ludovic Turac, the young chef at Une Table Au Sud, is thinking of working with ceramist Julien Truchon in Patrimoniu, Corsica: «We like this potter’s work and he designs pieces that would suit the chef’s recipes,» says Turac’s wife Karine, «Genuine bespoke is important because it’s a great way to highlight the joint work of the cook and the producers». Anne-Sophie Pic, with unerring judgement, has also commissioned Julien Truchon to make her crockery. And customers love this trend, as they feel they are partaking in something special.

Oustau de Baumanière, D27, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence. T. 04 90 54 33 07

L’Alcyone, Intercontinental Hôtel-Dieu, 1 place Daviel, Marseille 2e. T. 04 13 42 42 42
Une table, au Sud, 2 quai du Port, Marseille 2e. T. 04 91 90 63 53

Une table, au Sud, 2 quai du Port, Marseille 2e. T. 04 91 90 63 53