At his Dollys Flat studio, Steve has crafted items including plates, bowls, jugs and keep cups from local clays for a special food event being held from August 4-5 at the South Coast restaurant.

The series of special dinners will showcase some of the internationally renowned chef’s finest food and provide an opportunity to present the food in a completely different way.

“Nick has been wanting to engage with hand made in the presentation of his food,” said Steve.

“He’s had a few of my pieces for a while.”

In fact Steve’s items have appeared a number of times on television when the popular chef has been interviewed.

Nick and his wife Stevie run Hampden Deli Dining and School with a strong environmental awareness and an emphasis on using local produce.

And while the young chef has worked all over the world it was in Forster that he first got his start in restaurant cooking at Bella Bellissimo.

The local connection continues with Steve and his pots first being introduced to Nick by his parents Marg and Graeme, long time friends of Steve. 

Its a good match, says Steve who now faces the challenge of producing items for Nick’s customers that tick all the right boxes in aesthetics and functionality.

His love of local clays as well as imperfection means Steve’s ceramic items have a very different look to what you would normally expect from a fine dining establishment.

And he’s not sure how it will all turn out.

“I’m filled with a mixture of excitement and anticipation,” he said.

Steve hopes the collaboration with Nick will pave the way for more of his items being used in cafes and restaurants. He’d particularly like to hear from any local businesses keen to offer their customers a hand made experience.