For the Love of Good Food.
THE PANTRY EDIT
A considered collection of kitchen essentials, pantry favourites and things that make cooking and sharing food a little more enjoyable.
FEATURED
From the pantry to the table.
Spice Jars
Korean Kimchi
Wooden Bowl
Stoneware Plates
Cafetiere
Tablecloth
THE EVERYDAY TABLE
Good Food, Good Company, No Rush.
From morning coffee to long lunches and everything in between. A few thoughts on making everyday meals feel a little more special, without making them complicated.
JOURNAL
Pantry inspiration.
The art of setting a table, even when nobody's coming over.
Good Food Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
The Pleasure of a Slow Breakfast
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Livabl Glass Spice Jars with Bamboo Lids – Set of 12
An easy way to bring a little order to the kitchen cupboards.
There's something quite satisfying about opening a cupboard and being able to find exactly what you're looking for. Especially when it comes to spices, which somehow always seem to end up in a collection of mismatched jars, half-empty packets and containers with missing labels.
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These glass spice jars from Livabl are a simple way to get everything organised while making your kitchen shelves look rather nice in the process.
The set includes 12 clear glass jars, each with a natural bamboo lid and a clean, minimalist label. They're practical enough for everyday cooking but attractive enough to leave out on an open shelf.
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Why We Love It
We particularly like the combination of clear glass and bamboo. You can see what's inside each jar at a glance, and the matching containers give even the busiest spice collection a more organised appearance.
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The 200ml capacity is a useful size for everyday herbs and spices, while the airtight silicone seals help keep the contents fresh.
The set also comes with 360 pre-printed labels, so you're not limited to the spices shown in the photographs. Whether you're storing cumin, cinnamon, paprika or something a little less common, there's plenty of flexibility.
And if you enjoy cooking with lots of different spices, having everything clearly labelled makes finding what you need much easier.
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These would also make a thoughtful housewarming gift, particularly for someone who enjoys cooking or has recently moved into a new home.
A small kitchen upgrade, perhaps, but one that makes everyday cooking that bit more enjoyable.
Le Digestif Korean Kimchi
Handmade in Norfolk, with plenty of flavour and a little local character.
We always enjoy discovering independent food producers, particularly when they're based close to home. Le Digestif is one of those Norfolk businesses worth knowing about.
Specialising in artisan fermented foods, they make a colourful range of kimchi and sauerkraut, using interesting combinations of vegetables, herbs and spices.
Their Korean Kimchi is a particularly good place to start.
Made with white cabbage, Chinese cabbage, daikon radish, pear, gochugaru chilli, garlic and ginger, it has that distinctive combination of tanginess, spice and savoury flavour that makes kimchi so enjoyable.
It's the sort of thing that can make an ordinary lunch considerably more interesting.Â
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Why We Love It
Aside from the fact that we enjoy a good kimchi, we love that Le Digestif is a small Norfolk producer making something a little different.
Their jars have a lovely, colourful design, and the range goes well beyond traditional sauerkraut.
If you're local, keep an eye out for them at Norfolk markets, including Holt Market. It's always nice to discover the people behind the products, and markets are a great opportunity to explore the different flavours.
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If kimchi isn't quite your thing, or you're curious to try something new, Le Digestif also makes several varieties of sauerkraut.
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We particularly like including independent businesses in The Pantry Edit, especially ones producing interesting food here in Norfolk.
Whether you're already a fan of fermented vegetables or simply fancy trying something different, Le Digestif is well worth exploring.
Kaizen Casa Acacia Wood Serving Bowl
A simple wooden bowl you'll find yourself using for all sorts of things.
Some kitchen pieces spend most of their time tucked away in a cupboard. Others are so useful, and so nice to look at, that they rarely get put away.
This round wooden serving bowl from Kaizen Casa is definitely one we'd be happy to leave out.
Made from solid acacia wood, it has a lovely natural grain and a wide, shallow shape that makes it useful for everything from serving snacks to displaying fresh fruit on the kitchen table.
We particularly like how uncomplicated it is. There's no elaborate detailing or unusual shape. Just a good-looking wooden bowl that works in almost any kitchen.
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Why We Love It
It's the versatility that appeals to us most.
Fill it with lemons and oranges for the kitchen counter, bring it out with crisps and olives when friends come over, or use it for bread at the dinner table.
The warm tones of the acacia wood look particularly good alongside simple tableware, although it would work just as well in a more colourful kitchen.
And because wood has its own natural grain and markings, each bowl has a slightly different character.
It's also the sort of piece that doesn't need a special occasion. We like the idea of using our favourite things every day rather than keeping them for when guests arrive.
The Details
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Material: Solid acacia wood with natural grain and colour variations.
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Shape: Round, with a wide, shallow design.
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Size: Approximately 10 inches (25.4cm) in diameter.
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Versatile: Suitable for displaying fruit, serving bread or presenting dry snacks.
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Everyday styling: Looks equally at home on a kitchen counter, dining table or coffee table.
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Care: Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry promptly. Avoid soaking or washing under running water. Periodically apply a suitable food-safe wood oil to help maintain the finish.
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We can imagine this sitting in the middle of a table filled with fresh bread, ready for a leisurely weekend lunch. Equally, it would look lovely holding a few pieces of fruit on an ordinary weekday.
A practical addition to the kitchen, with enough character to make even the simplest table setting feel welcoming.
Affiliate disclosure:Â If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Every Story Toasted Stoneware Plates
Beautifully imperfect ceramics, handmade in the Nottinghamshire countryside.
There's something special about handmade ceramics. The slightly uneven edges, the subtle differences in colour and the little details that remind you someone has actually made them.
These Toasted Stoneware Plates from Every Story are a lovely example.
Every Story was founded by sisters Abby and Hannah, who handcraft their ceramics across three studios in the Vale of Belvoir, Nottinghamshire. Inspired by nature and the surrounding countryside, they create pieces that are designed to be used and enjoyed every day.
Their Toasted collection has a wonderfully relaxed feel. Each plate is individually formed from speckled clay, with a subtle linen-like texture and a warm off-white glaze.
They're the sort of plates that make even a simple lunch look rather appealing.
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Why We Love It
We particularly like that no two plates are exactly alike. The organic shapes and natural variations give them character without making them feel overly rustic.
The soft, neutral finish also means they'll work with almost any table setting, whether you're serving breakfast for one or having friends over for dinner.
And there's something we really appreciate about buying from a small independent business where the people making the products are part of the story.
These are pieces we'd happily leave on the table long after the meal has finished.
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We can imagine the smaller plates being used for a slice of cake or something sweet with an afternoon coffee, while the larger ones would be lovely for everyday meals.
They're also the kind of tableware you can gradually collect over time, adding a few pieces as and when you need them.
A beautiful example of everyday objects made with care, and a reminder that the things we use most often deserve a little attention too.
Bodum CAFFETTIERA French Press Coffee Maker
Good coffee at home, without the need for an expensive machine.
We're big fans of a proper cup of coffee, and while there's always a place for a favourite café, it's nice to be able to make something equally enjoyable at home.
The Bodum CAFFETTIERA is a classic French press that keeps things refreshingly simple. No pods, complicated settings or expensive equipment. Just freshly ground coffee, hot water and a few minutes of patience.
With its glass body, stainless-steel frame and black handle, it has a timeless design that looks good on the kitchen counter without taking up too much space.
And at one litre, it's a useful size for making coffee for more than one person.
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Why We Love It
There's something satisfying about making coffee in a cafetière. You can adjust the strength to your liking, try different beans and enjoy the whole process without needing to learn how to operate a coffee machine.
The reusable stainless-steel mesh filter allows more of the coffee's natural oils through than a paper filter, giving French press coffee its characteristic rich, full-bodied flavour.
We also appreciate that there's no need for disposable filters or coffee pods. Once you've finished, you simply empty the grounds and clean the cafetière ready for next time.
It's an uncomplicated way to make a really enjoyable cup of coffee.
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A Better Cup of Coffee at Home
If you're new to using a cafetière, the process couldn't be much easier.
Start with coarsely ground coffee, add hot water just off the boil and give it a gentle stir. Leave it to brew for around four minutes before slowly pressing down the plunger. Pour straight away and enjoy.
It's worth experimenting with different coffee beans and the amount you use until you find a strength you like.
We particularly like the idea of bringing this to the table on a weekend morning, with breakfast and nowhere urgent to be.
A good cafetière is one of those kitchen essentials that can last for years, and the Bodum CAFFETTIERA is a lovely choice for anyone who enjoys making coffee the traditional way.
Affiliate disclosure:Â If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Blue & White Striped Tassel Tablecloth
A fresh take on a classic striped tablecloth, with a relaxed, rustic feel.
We've always liked a beautifully set table, even when there's no particular occasion to celebrate. Sometimes all it takes is a nice tablecloth to make an everyday meal feel a little different.
This blue and white striped tablecloth is exactly the sort of thing we'd bring out for a long weekend lunch or an impromptu dinner with friends.
The soft blue stripes have a timeless feel, while the cream tassels around the edges add a bit of character. It's relaxed enough for everyday use but still makes the table look as though you've put some thought into it.
And there's something about blue and white together that always feels fresh, whatever the season.
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Why We Love It
We particularly like how easily this tablecloth works with different styles of tableware.
Pair it with simple white plates and clear glasses for a fresh, uncomplicated look, or mix it with handmade ceramics and wooden serving bowls for something a little more rustic.
The woven cotton-blend fabric has a soft texture and enough weight to drape nicely over the edges of the table. The tassel trim gives it a slightly playful finish without feeling overly decorative.
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It's also a practical choice for anyone who enjoys having people over but doesn't want to spend ages getting the table ready.
Add a few plates, a bowl of something delicious in the middle and you're pretty much there.
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For Everyday Meals and Longer Lunches
We can imagine this looking lovely on a wooden dining table, with mismatched plates, a big serving dish in the centre and everyone helping themselves.
It would work equally well for a summer lunch in the garden or a cosy meal indoors when the weather turns cooler.
And because the design is so simple, you can change the whole feel of the table just by switching the plates or adding a different colour of napkin.
We think the best table settings are the ones that feel welcoming rather than overly arranged. Somewhere people are happy to sit for a while, go back for seconds and carry on talking long after they've finished eating.
This tablecloth fits that idea rather nicely.
Affiliate disclosure:Â If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.