These are works that smoothly blend with the haute cuisine of the Chefs. In Cheverny, Virginie Couffin, whose studio is in Maine-et-Loire, has created a collection of stoneware plates, pitchers, and presentation dishes with lines that are both raw and elegant. “This contrast is also embraced by Frédéric Calmels, the Chef of Le Favori, in his culinary art. We worked together to create these authentic pieces,” says Couffin. The 'we' is crucial because Virginie and Frédéric met several times and exchanged ideas extensively to bring this mineral tableware to life. “One of Frédéric's signature dishes is monkfish and considers it to be a jewel. For the serving plate, we imagined a setting with particular colours and an aquatic inspiration,” explains the designer, who enjoys gathering leaves and bark around her, then incorporating them into the clay to “bring texture.”

These imprints of naturalness also influence Margaux Leycuras, the designer of Ash Design based in Bordeaux, who has created other stoneware and porcelain plates for both gastronomic restaurants of Les Sources de Caudalie and Les Sources de Cheverny. “I like to let the earth speak for itself, without adding anything superfluous,” says Leycuras, who also designed for Les Sources de Caudalie a black stave that stands at the centre of each table at La Grand'Vigne. “It's a reference to the curved blade of a barrel. The metallic finish glaze gives a shiny impression as if there were wine inside. Feel it!” invites the ceramist, thus highlighting the crucial role of sensoriality in her artistic approach.