The Cook's Atelier
Of all the beauty and inspiration Beaune gifted us, the experience of participating in The Cook's Atelier market tour and cooking class was, hands down, our favourite day in France.
Last Spring my dear friend Kelly and I set out on a three week european adventure. Tasked with a project to style and shoot four properties in Burgundy, France for writer Laura Bradbury, we were fortunate to stay in the picturesque village of Beaune for 10 days (we also ventured to Iceland and Paris—I'll save those stories and photos for another post).
We drove through the countryside. We rode bicycles from vineyard to vineyard. We travelled to Dijon—where, yes, we ate authentic Dijon mustard on roasted ham from the farmers market. We ate unlimited amounts of cheese and baguette, washing it all down with the best burgundy wine. We were in french heaven, we really were.
Of all the beauty and inspiration Beaune gifted us, the experience of participating in The Cook's Atelier market tour and cooking class was, hands down, our favourite day in France. We met our teachers (now friends) Marjorie and Kendall at their favourite cheese shop across from the Saturday market and began our shop for a day of cooking in their stunning kitchen.
Copper pots, marble counters and a collection of the most beautiful french dishes and wooden utensils I've ever seen in one kitchen, Kelly and I were literally in heaven. Not to mention the adorable and very friendly couple we were lucky to learn and dine with. The entire experience was flawless and so much fun. I had dreamed of Beaune and visiting The Cook's Atelier for years and definitely had a moment in my white apron where I pinched myself. Sometimes life is but a dream.
Our creative connection to Beaune will continue with another trip in the works next September for Laura Bradbury. I'm also very excited to begin a collaboration with Marjorie and Kendall of The Cook's Atelier. Sometimes, things just work out exactly as you dream them up. I'm beginning to think the more vivid and clear the dream, the better the chance of it becoming a beautiful reality. To France with love. Enjoy Kelly's photographs. xo
Creative Q&A: Janaki Larsen of Le Marché St. George
Name, Location, Occupation
Janaki Larsen
Vancouver B.C
Shop Keeper, Potter, Mama
Please describe your workspace:
I have 2 work spaces. One is our apartment which is where all the photography for our online shop and blog takes place. I constantly drag things in and out to try them out, there is a constant rotation of art and objects. Sometimes it drives Pascal crazy! The other one is my ceramics studio. This is a purely functional place, not a lot of charm or beauty (Not even a window!) but it's where I am happiest.
What are you working on right now?
A few things. Preparing for our Summer Pop Up shop that is at the end of April, photographing new products for the online shop and making dishes. Some for the pop up, some for private orders. We always have several things going on at any time.
What has been your most rewarding project to date?
Definitely the café! It has brought so much on so many levels. It turned out not to just be a café but our entire life style. It enabled us to make an income and to live a creative life that’s about food and people and growers and kids and makers. It’s a very full experience.
Who are you inspired by?
Firstly my mother. She is a fearless artist! Beyond her, I am inspired by people who display great capacity for kindness, generosity and forgiveness. I love seeing people passionate about anything, even if it’s barbwire!
Has there been a defining moment or turning point when you realized what you wanted to do for a living?
I grew up in a family of artist so I just assumed that’s what everyone did. I have had other jobs in my life, that have fulfilled different needs but I always come back to making things.
What do you think is the most difficult aspect of your work?
That it is not 9-5. That is never really ends, I like that aspect as well but sometimes I wish I had more free time. We have a lot of different jobs too so it’s constant and sometimes feels relentless. We are also not the best at personal time management.
What websites do you visit for inspiration?
Instagram. I like to know the daily habits of people I am interested in.
What are your simplest daily pleasures?
Time with my daughter. Coffee in the shop before it opens. Nights in the studio when I know everyone else is asleep.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Making pots in the countryside and shipping them all over the world.
photography by Kelly Brown
L'esprit de la Mer
Excited to share Beth Kirby's beautiful photographs of Kinfolk's L'esprit de la Mer in Nashville.
Check out the talented work of the partners involved: Camellia Fiber Company, Local Milk, Handy Dandy Productions, Board and Bread, Consider the Wildflowers, Handmade Studio TN, Twelve at the Table, Nothing But Delicious, Art in the Age and Rebecca Neenan.
Visit the Kinfolk website for more photographs from our dinner and others hosted around the world.