A Gray’s School of Art graduate has teamed up with some of Aberdeen’s top food and drink purveyors to offer North-east residents a unique culinary and design experience.
Natalie J Wood (25), who graduated from the 3D Design course at Gray’s last year, has worked with James Daniel of independent design company CRE-ATE to come up with ‘Winter’ – an event focused on the celebration of food, drink and ceramics.
Those who attend the event on March 17 will be treated to a five course tasting menu at Moonfish Café, complete with drinks pairing by cocktail company 10 Dollar Shake, all served on specially designed ceramic table wear, a piece of which guests will be able to take home at the end of the evening.
The innovative project began after James saw Natalie’s graduate collection of ceramic tableware designs during the 2015 Degree Show at Gray’s School of Art.
Natalie said: “After that, we got together a few times to discuss a possible project for us to collaborate on. As James and I shared similar thoughts on aesthetics and current trends in food and design, we hoped to organise a seasonal event, focusing on colour and simple form. This would create a canvas for a culinary creative to work on.
“Once we agreed on a time and place for the event with Brian Mcleish, Head Chef at Moonfish and a finalist in Masterchef: The Professionals, and 10 Dollar Shake’s Adrian Gomes, the design work began.”
Natalie added: “I brought several designs forward and collaboratively we agreed upon the final outcomes. The plates are made through the industrial process of slip casting into plaster moulds. I made the forms and the moulds during a placement with Cyan Clayworks, where I also tested several colour variations of clay.
“As a team we agreed on a colour palette that reflected winter hues and after this point I began casting the cups and plates in my own studio. Each piece is individually handmade and limited to an edition of 50.
“It was important to us that the people who come to the event get to take part of it home with them, so every guest will take a ceramic piece home from the event, to fully encompass this one-off experience of food and design.”
James said: “Natalie’s ceramic work stood out in the Gray’s Degree Show 2015, and straight away I wanted to work with her to create something I have not done before.
“The idea was to create an event that celebrates food and drink, but also celebrate ceramic design. I couldn’t be more happy with the team chosen to celebrate the end of Winter and am looking forward to March 17.”
Tickets for the event, which takes place on March 17 at 7pm, are £95 per person, inclusive of a piece of ceramic art to take home. To book a place, please call Moonfish Café on (01224) 644166 or email info@moonfishcafe.co.uk