I love English history and I love English pottery so it was with great delight that I learned about Burleigh pottery on a visit to Denby’s booth at Ambiente in February.
Made at Middleport Pottery, the last working Victorian potter in the UK, it was near extinction because the factory had fallen into dis- repair. Fortunately, HRH Prince Charles, who has used his position and money to help revitalize many English traditions such as organic agriculture and artisan food production, took over the pottery through The Prince’s Regeneration Trust. Denby leases back the facility to make the wonderful and traditional line of Burleigh pottery and the world of housewares is richer for it. Prince Charles has even helped design a line of ceramics for Burleigh.
And speaking of tradition, they have also is- sued a line of distinctive mugs to commemorate the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth (see photo). You can read more about this and other discoveries we made in my Ambiente report (“Report from the Trenches: Ambiente 2016,” page 9) and you can learn more about historic Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent at www.middleportpottery.co.uk.
I’ve never thought of flatware as a particularly engaging subject. That is until I read Joanne Friedrick’s report on the flatware industry (“Anything But Flat” page 15). My esteemed colleague demonstrates why she’s one of the best in the business with this insightful look at a category that is anything but boring as manufacturers are presenting more styles and colors than ever before. In fact, I could see consumers beginning to buy more than one set of flatware so they can change styles with their mood, with the seasons, or the occasion. Joanne also headed into her kitchen to pen our “My Favorite Thing” column this month, reporting on a clever product that I’m now keen to try myself.
As the roses in my garden attest, spring is officially here (although many of you are still getting snow), and if the recent housewares shows (Ambiente and International Home + Housewares Show) are any indication, housewares stores should be very colorful this season. Here’s hoping it translates to bigger than ever sales and an overall healthy industry for all. Cheers!
James Mellgren
Managing Editor, Gourmet Business
jmellgren@gourmetbusiness.com