Giving Knives as Gifts
Cutlery makes a wonderful gift for cooking enthusiasts. However, if you give a knife as a gift make sure you follow this European tradition to insure that your friendship will continue. Tradition specifies that if you are given a knife as a gift, you must give the giver a small coin in return. The small payment ensures that your friendship will not be “cut.”
If you are looking to give a special gift we recommend Berti knives. These knives have been handcrafted in Italy for over 100 years. The knife maker takes the knife from start to completion creating a knife that can not be reproduced by industrialized production.
Didriks carries Berti’s Carving knives, kitchen knives and table and steak knives. Visit our website to learn more.
Berti Kitchen Knife Set
Jane Thompson’s D/R
The Boston Globe article on Design/Research’s Jane Thompson is now available online. The article discusses Jane’s new book “Design Research: The Store That Brought Modern Living to American Homes.’’
Long long ago, in a galaxy far away . . .
Jane Thompson’s book is a loving scrapbook of D/R and its era. There are brief quotations from people who knew the company in some way — customers, designers, employees, fans. And there are photographs, hundreds of them, of people and products.
Design Research began as a small store in an old wooden row house in 1953. From that tiny beginning, it grew to the point where, more than any other force, it created an awareness and a market for modern design in America.
Click here to read the entire article.
In the Globe article Jane Thompson names her favorite D/R pieces of all time. One of the pieces she selected was iittala’s Sarpaneva casserole. “It addresses the problem of how to cook and serve with the same pot, how to get kitchenware onto the table. It’s highly colored and because of the wood handle, you can lift it from the cooking surface.”
Timo Sarpaneva Cast Iron Casserole
The Timo Sarpaneva Cast Iron Casserole is available at Didriks. As always, shipping is free.
Jonathan’s Spoons
July 28, 2010 by Lynda
Filed under Entertaining, kitchen
Jonathan’s collection of handcrafted cherry wood utensils has evolved from 30 years of experimentation in his wood shop and kitchen. They are cleverly designed to perch on the side of a pot or bowl so you don’t have to worry about drips. A variety of styles can be used to scoop, strain, sprinkle, whisk, ladle, grab, cut, peel, paddle, or pour. These spoons are the perfect example of a utilitarian item being taken to a whole new level of design and function. With a little care these beautifully handcrafted spoons will last a lifetime.
The idea for Jonathan’s business began when he forgot a spoon for his lunch while working as an apprentice furniture maker. He used a scrap of wood to craft a spoon on the spot. Years later when he was laid off from a job and looking to start his own business he remembered the spoon. Thus, Jonathan’s Spoons was born. Jonathan’s love for beautiful woods and his craftsmanship can be seen in each and every spoon he sells.
The smiling Jonathan
and his spoons
