Jono Pandolfi

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Overview

Jono Pandolfi Designs produces hand-crafted ceramic dinnerware targeted at professional chefs and serious home cooks. The company shifted from a B2B model serving restaurants to include direct-to-consumer sales during the 2020 pandemic. It supplies custom and standard pieces to high-end New York City establishments including Eleven Madison Park and MoMA cafes.

History

Founded in 2003-2004 by Jono Pandolfi after graduating from Skidmore College and teaching pottery. Early commissions came from Will Guidara for MoMA cafes in 2004, followed by Eleven Madison Park in 2006. Moved studio to Union City, New Jersey in 2008; expanded wholesale to retailers like Crate & Barrel in 2010 before refocusing on hospitality clients; became full-service provider for Eleven Madison Park in 2011.

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
Hospitality Dinnerware	Custom ceramics for Michelin-starred restaurants	$50 - $500
Porcelain Plates	Hand-thrown plates for professional use	$40 - $150
Bud Vases & Accessories	Small ceramic items for cafes and tables	$20 - $80
Pillow Plates	Specialty shapes for fine dining	$60 - $200
Kona Dinnerware Line	Retail line sold at Crate & Barrel	$30 - $100

Manufacturing

Products are hand-crafted and produced in the company's studio in Union City, New Jersey. Techniques include hand-throwing and jiggering to meet hospitality demands for quality and volume. All manufacturing is in-house.

Notable Products

Porcelain Pillow Plate - Commissioned by Eleven Madison Park for their renovation.
Bud Vases - Designed for MoMA Terrace 5 Café and Café 2, also sold in museum shop.
Hand-Thrown Plates - 50-plate order for two-Michelin-star Atera restaurant.
Kona Line - Dinnerware line designed for Crate & Barrel.
Chopstick Holders - Custom pieces for MoMA cafes.

Reputation

Known among chefs and restaurants for durable, elegant custom ceramics suited to high-volume professional kitchens. Enthusiasts appreciate the artisan quality and transition to DTC sales. Limited visibility outside hospitality circles due to B2B focus.

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