What Quality Means To Me

'Quality' is one of those terms that gets thrown around all the time and doesn't really have any uniform meaning, so I thought I would explain what I mean when I talk about quality. For me, quality means three main things, quality materials, quality design and quality craftsmanship. I truly believe that these are the three main components you need in order to achieve a truly great product that will stand the test of time. 

I absolutely love the subject of food and drink, so I am always thinking 'how can I make this meal, drink or dining experience better?' What do people love when they are talking about their favourite coffee cup or soup bowl? For me the answer will always come back to quality - if you are eating or drinking from a beautifully made product then your experience of it will be totally different.  This is why I do what I do and I love every minute of it. 

Bone China

The recipe for bone china was perfected in around 1790 by Josiah Spode in Stoke-on-Trent, UK. He discovered that by adding bone ash to China clay, the resulting material was much stronger and much whiter than any ceramic material that had come before it. It was simply the very best quality ceramic material that had ever been made. The combination of the strength and the brilliant whiteness led to a huge surge of expression from artists at the time creating complex and vibrant patterns that could last for generations. 230 years later, we are still enjoying some of those earliest pieces today. 

(Take a look at the Reflect Collection to explore some of the incredible antique pieces we have discovered and paired with our own reflective cups)

The recipe has barely changed since 1790, and is the recipe we still use to make every piece of Richard Brendon bone china in Stoke-on-Trent today. 

Putting your morning coffee in to a beautifully made, thin-rimmed cup is to me one of the best ways to start the day. You get a little bit of communication with the past and these incredible innovators, and the knowledge that what you have in your hand is the best possible quality product you can find. It's the same coffee but, for me, a totally different experience.

Glassware

A totally different origin story, but with a deep, rich history of its own. Quality in glass has meant so many different things over the centuries and to some extent is still does today, from thick, heavy lead crystal with colours, patterns, cuts or etchings, all the way through to the ultra-light glass which takes teams of experts to make each one. 

For a whisky on the rocks I always look for a reassuringly heavy glass, something that gives that moment a bit of reverence and gravitas that a light glass just can't deliver. I want it to be the perfect size for a nice big ice cube and I want to know that it has been made by true artisans, experts in their field, because this is the only way to experience the very best of this craft. It changes my experience of that drink completely. I think most people would agree that a great quality glass that has been designed to be perfectly fit for purpose can massively improve the enjoyment of their favourite drink. 

In essence, quality is a marriage of three parts, and I really believe that if you get those building blocks right, then you can create a product which actually changes your 'everyday' dining experiences, and enhances the pleasure in the simple moments in life.