Porcelain Cheese Draining Pot
Made by ceramicist and porcelain artisan Jessica Thorn, this limited run of porcelain cheese drainers were created based on an antique from southern France. Also used for the resting of meats and collecting the juices of vegetables and roasts, we have recreated them for our courses and home use as they are the perfect platform upon which you can drain your cheese of its whey before and after salting.
Although seemingly more delicate than stoneware, porcelain is fired at very high temperatures which results in a very hard ceramic, perfect for natural cheesemaking. Designed to fit cheeses drained in forms up to 100mm, the whey can be easily poured out with the cheese still draining, meaning you can use the whey for fresh recipes or drinking.
Made in Bristol, UK
THESE ARE MADE TO ORDER BY JESS IN HER STUDIO AND WILL TAKE UP TO SIX WEEKS TO MAKE, FIRE, PACK AND SEND
Diameter 165mm // Height 60mm // Weight 1.140kg
THE ARTISAN
JESSICA THORN
Jessica Thorn is a UK based ceramic artisan specialising in porcelain kitchenware.
Having shared many passionate conversations through the years around functional and farmhouse vernacular kitchenware, Jessica has teamed up with Up There The Last on a beautiful project centred around the production of natural cheese. Using the template of a found french antique, Jessica has riffed on this to create sturdy cheese drainers for the home, specifically embracing natural materials over plastic or stainless steel.
“Max sent over a picture of the broken earthenware cheese drainer, for me to remake. Unfortunately the top had snapped in two. This was due to the fact that the earthenware would have soaked up a lot of liquid over the years, being a porous material. This essentially weakens the clay, and unfortunately causes it to become more fragile.
Instantly I knew It would be best to make it in Stoneware or Porcelain for the longevity of the piece. These clays are fired to a higher temperature allowing the clay body to vitrify becoming non porous, allowing the body to remain strong after years of use. Essentially these pieces are made to last, to pass down the generations with the cheese recipe for the tradition to continue.
The porcelain cheese drainer has been made in my signature style, representing the craftsmanship of slowly mastering the skill of working with porcelain for over ten years. This is my go to clay-body as the pure clean crisp nature of the porcelain helps to showcase the natural beauty of food. In this case highlighting the natural colours of the cheese and the wheys. Due to its non-porous nature I can also leave the outside and the draining plate unglazed, which allows for a natural texture.
The stoneware piece was made to capture the essence of the original piece, making it feel that it has been passed down for generations. The pot of the cheese drainer is thrown on the potter's wheel, and the top is slab built to get a lovely thin draining disc. “
★★★★★
“An object of simple, timeless beauty that has brought such loveliness to my kitchen already. Although old homemaking skills seem to have regained popularity, objects like these are surprisingly hard to come by and I was so happy to find. A real treasure that I hope will be used by my family for generations to come!”
Rachel B