The Science of Functionality
Tena has spent years developing her own techniques and glazes to meet the high standards of today’s commercial kitchens. Earthborn products have been professionally tested for “GLLE” (glaze leaching), scratch, compression, dishwasher, and thermal shock resistance. Critical attention to firing times, temperature, and clay-glaze relationship make Earthborn products extremely durable. The clay body is completely vitrified so any chips are non-absorbent and the dark clay blends into the natural edge. Our products have been restaurant proven since 1997.
Earthborn pottery has been proven in the restaurant industry since 1997. The journey started with a willing chef and a hungry potter who both had something to gain from the relationship.
Earthborn pottery and its process developed over time and yielded a product uniquely situated to custom design. Working one-on-one with the chef, insights to specific functionality can easily be translated into a finished vessel. The collaboration between the two artists creates a personal statement available in no other way.
CORE MATERIALS
Earthborn begins with a custom blend of clay designed for strength and beauty. High in iron content, the clay is fi red to maturity at 2400 degrees. When it chips (and it takes a beating to make it chip) it chips dark, disappearing into the natural edge and design of each piece. Vitrification prevents any absorption.
PROCESS
Ram™ process vs casting: When clay is cast, it is dissolved in water and poured into a mold. When Earthborn clay is Ram™ pressed there is already more material in the vessel because the ratio of clay to water is higher. Hence the piece is more dense and stronger because of this process.
GLAZES
Earthborn glazes are the result of years of testing refractory material and its relationship to the clay. These ‘borosilicate’ glazes are extremely hard and withstand the daily use in restaurant environments, including the thermal shock of dishwashers and abrasive detergents. High-fi red and intrinsically interesting, the glaze and vessel fuse to form a tight bond and beautiful frame for culinary art.
TEMPERATURE
Earthborn pottery is fired twice—bisque and glaze. The glaze and clay fuse to form a tight bond. The final glaze temperature tops out at 2400 degrees. The clay is totally vitrified at this point.
CUSTOMIZATION
One of the beautiful things about Earthborn pottery is the design attribute availability to the chef/culinary professional. Chefs are artists too, and—rightly so— want the proper frame for their creations. This is where Earthborn excels. One-on-one collaboration results in a truly unique-to-the-property dining experience.
MADE IN AMERICA
A potter since the 1970s, Tena Payne developed Earthborn specifically to make plates for chefs. A coincidental meeting in 1997 led to the creation of tableware for the now-famous Hot and Hot Fish Club. Now Tena and her family create plating for properties worldwide. Made in Leeds, Alabama, and housed in a re-purposed watch factory, Earthborn Studios is a Certified Woman-Owned Business.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
Earthborn stands behind their product 100%. If for any reason a customer is unhappy with the product or its performance, Earthborn will replace.
