PREPARING YOUR TABLE WITH CROCKERY

TYPES OF CROCKERY AVAILABLE

• Porcelain

  A ceramic material made by heating raw materials, including clay, to temperatures of 1,200 - 1,400°C. Hot! Porcelain crockery can come cheap and easy to handle, whereas some is expensive. It has good resistance to thermal shock, which is why it is often used as oven to tableware, allowing caterers to cook the food in the dishes they serve it in. Olympia and Athena are made from porcelain.

• Alumina Enriched

  An oxide of aluminium is added to clay to make this type of crockery, and the finished product is easily identifiable thanks to its creamy colour and great strength. Although more expensive than standard porcelain, alumina enriched crockery is generally cheaper than bone china and therefore used as an alternative. The Lumina Fine China range is made from alumina enriched porcelain.

• Earthenware

  A white and porous clay, glazed with a clear coat and fired at a low temperature - one of the oldest materials used in pottery. Earthenware is usually called ‘ceramics’ or ‘ceramic ware’ and although considered cost-effective, it is not as tough or water-resistant as other ceramics.

• Vitrified

  When a ceramic body is fired to a temperature of above 1,210°C it is called vitrified. The body of the material melts together making it non-porous so neither water nor bacteria can seep into the product. Vitrified crockery is a popular choice as it withstands regular use well and is very strong. Browse Churchill's Super Vitrified range here.

• Bone China

  Soft-paste porcelain composed of ash from animal bones, feldspathic material and kaolin. Renowned for its high levels of whiteness and translucency, its very high mechanical strength and chip resistance, bone China such as that made by Royal Bone China is a cost effective choice and is available in many colours and patterns. Also, as bone China is so strong manufacturers can make it very thin, making it a lot lighter than other crockery. Fine Bone China must be made of more than 45% bone ash.

• Melamine Crockery

  A strong, lightweight and hard thermosetting plastic, used as a hygienic and durable alternative to china as it is virtually unbreakable. It also resists scratching and staining, and is heat resistant and dishwasher safe.

UK CROCKERY MANUFACTURERS

There are three main catering crockery manufacturers in the UK, all based in Stoke on Trent, which has long been affectionately known as ‘The Potteries’ thanks to its history of crockery production, and today also holds the title ‘World Capital of Ceramics’. These manufacturers are Churchill, Dudson and Steelite who make their crockery from vitrified earthenware, as well as other products.

Classic shapes and styles will never go out of style, but sometimes it’s fun to try something new within your restaurant to add a new twist to the table. For example, Olympia Kiln provides a rustic canvas for your food that has been inspired by nature to complement your food.

Guide: Crockery is only one part of your decision when it comes to your tableware, for in depth look on what cutlery to buy, take a look at our buying cutlery guide.