Tableware & Serveware

Serving boards and cheese boards

Acacia wood serving boards have a warm, rich grain that sets off cheese, charcuterie, bread and antipasti. A round board with a handle is easy to pass around the table, while a long paddle board of up to 100cm makes a dramatic grazing board down the middle of a dinner table. A cheese board set adds matching bowls and knives, so you have everything you need for a cheese course in one go.

Serving board or cutting board?

Serving boards are made for presenting food. You can slice cheese or bread on them, but heavy chopping with a sharp knife will mark the surface. Keep a separate chopping board for daily food prep, and save your serving board for the table.

Lazy Susans and serving bowls

A lazy Susan is a rotating tray that sits in the middle of a table, so everyone can reach dips, sauces and sides without passing dishes back and forth. The acacia lazy Susan in this collection comes with seven ceramic serving bowls, which makes it ideal for tapas, mezze, curry nights and snacks for a crowd.

Champagne coolers and ice buckets

A large champagne cooler holds ice, water and several bottles at once, so it works for parties, Christmas and celebrations as well as a simple bottle of wine with dinner. Fill it two-thirds with ice and top up with cold water: the mix chills bottles faster than ice alone. Dry it thoroughly after use to protect the finish.

Ceramic jugs

Ceramic jugs in crackle glazes, weathered finishes and etched patterns are as useful on a dresser shelf as they are on the table. Use them as a vase for stems and branches, or as a decorative piece. Check each listing for its intended use, as some are designed for decorative display rather than serving drinks.

Caring for wooden serveware

• Wash wooden boards and lazy Susans by hand in warm, soapy water and dry them straight away. Never put them in the dishwasher or leave them to soak.
• Store boards upright or flat in a dry place so they dry evenly.
• Rub a little food-safe oil into the wood every so often to keep it from drying out.
• Remove strong smells with a little lemon juice and salt, then rinse and dry.

Serveware: your questions answered

What is a lazy Susan used for?

A lazy Susan is a rotating serving tray placed in the centre of a table. It lets everyone reach shared dishes, dips and sauces by turning the tray instead of passing plates. It is ideal for family meals, tapas and mezze, and for keeping condiments tidy.

Why is it called a lazy Susan?

Nobody knows for certain. The name appeared in the early twentieth century in American advertising, and the most common explanation is that the turntable did the work of a servant, sometimes called Susan, who would otherwise pass dishes around the table.

Can a serving board be used as a cutting board?

You can slice cheese, bread and charcuterie on a serving board, but heavy chopping with sharp knives will mark the surface. Keep a separate chopping board for everyday food preparation and use your serving board for presenting food at the table.

How do you clean an acacia serving board?

Wash it by hand in warm, soapy water, rinse, and dry it straight away with a tea towel. Do not soak it or put it in the dishwasher. Oil it occasionally with a food-safe oil to stop the wood drying out and cracking.

How do you keep champagne cold for a party?

Fill a champagne cooler about two-thirds with ice and add cold water, then put the bottles in for around 20 minutes. Ice and water together chill bottles faster than ice alone, because the water touches the whole surface of the glass.

Set the scene with candle holders and lanterns, a dining table or a vase of fresh stems.