At The Table is a design and lifestyle initiative based around one thing: great British food. Whether they’re running preserve making ’Summer Camp’ workshops, or growing Bermondey’s newest food market, which is tucked away from hungry tourists under Druid Street’s railway arches – food is firmly the centre of attention.
This remains the case with their tastefully tiny range of tableware, where a handful of bespoke collaborations with London-based makers are available to buy from the online store, and all summer at a pop-up shop at Town Hall Hotel. The mentality? A rustic cluster of almonds can be elevated to new heights by the light ceramic shell of one of Lisa Ommanney’s nibble bowls. A simple sourdough loaf looks particularly appetising when laid on a bed of a weighty, Ren London-designed linen tablecloths. That’s to say nothing of Havelock Studio’s satisfyingly geometric ’Origami Trivet’, which will add a contemporary, concrete twist to any homespun spread.
This bubbling of excitement around the brand, which was set up in 2013 and previously known as TOAST, is down to a shrewd branding twist from founder and culture journalist Miranda York. Although the motivation and ethos has stayed put (local products, local makers), focus has shifted to hand-tailored projects like this week’s intimate Supper Club with Michelin-starred chef James Lowe, which was held amid the fragrant lavender bushes and monochrome clothes rails of Kit & Ace’s London boutique.
’Since starting TOAST in 2013 we’ve been delighted with the breadth and depth of the conversations and collaborations that have taken place around British food culture,’ York explains. ’As we evolve and expand, with our Summer Camp series and bespoke shop, it feels like the right time for the brand to evolve too – we hope that like-minded people will join us at the table.’ Don’t mind if we do.
