7 ceramic brands that this Indian pastry chef is obsessed with

When Bani Nanda, chef and founder of Miam Pâtisserie, is not whipping up meticulously decorated (and absolutely stunning) desserts, she can be found making additions to her brimming ceramic collection, or setting the table for dinners with friends. But this was not always the case–Nanda’s interest in the craft took off during the pandemic, like most of us who picked up all sorts of hobbies at the time. She explains where it all began, “It was lockdown boredom! My parents had gifted me a gorgeous flatware set from WMF when I got married and I finally looked towards it and read up about the brand. My nieces were in town, so I cooked a dinner for them at home and laid my first table”. 

And while hoarding crockery can quickly become too tempting, Nanda tries to practice caution. “I always look out for quality, I have stopped junk shopping. I usually buy eclectic pieces over a few months and slowly keep adding them to my collection”, she says. She also shares her hack for mindful shopping–“Always buy dinnerware in sets of six. You can mix and match when you have large gatherings.” When asked if her pastry style reflects in her crockery choices, Nanda agrees. “I think aesthetic essentially boils down to matching colours and patterns. I have a very good sense of colour, so yes; the visuals do intersect at some level, even though you wouldn’t see it in an obvious sense.”

Read ahead for the pastry chef's favourite crockery brands that are gorgeous to boot and are guaranteed to take your next dinner party table to a whole new level. 

Wedgwood

"I love the jasperware that they are known for. Fun fact, my mum has been collecting their wall plates since almost 30 years! My favourite Wedgwood collection is definitely the vintage Rosalind Edme."

Atelier Lalmitti

"They are one of my top picks when it comes to Indian ceramic artists–I really like their distinct patterns in blue. This year, I commissioned a beautiful tureen and it’s my favourite."

Arabia (Finland)

"I am a big fan of the edgy and neo-classical pieces Arabia came up with in the 1960s and 1970s. The brand was very progressive for its time and I’ve just started collecting a few vintage tureens by them. My go-to is a set of blue patterned breakfast plates." 

A Clay Story

"Anumita is another ceramic artist that I adore–once she even let me visit her pottery studio! I love her handcrafted bowls that come in light pastel colours, but my favourite piece from the brand has to be my salt pig that I had commissioned."

Khanoom Jaipur 

"Khanoom is an independent studio that boasts the most incredibly intricate artwork–you really have to see it to believe it. I don’t own a single piece from them yet, but it’s on my list."

Ikai Asai 

"They’re one of my most beloved brands as they truly celebrate Indian handicraft and have scouted a number of states to put together a beautiful stock list. I recently started building my collection–the Meghalaya black pottery is one of my favourites." 

Bordallo Pinheiro

"Bordallo Pinheiro is a Portuguese ceramic house that’s carrying forward the grand legacy of the famous ceramic artist the brand takes its name from. Their striking pieces, all inspired by flora and fauna, make everything come to life on the table. My pick? Their cabbage collection for sure!"

Lead image: Bani Nanda/Instagram