Robust everyday stainless steel cutlery which is also superbly well designed. Café has become something of a collector’s piece.
Mellor’s modern classic originated in the 1960s as a commission from the Ministry of Public Building and Works for a basic set of cutlery for use in government canteens, hospitals, schools, prisons and on the national railways. The resulting cutlery was his most socially radical as he reduced the standard 11-piece setting then in general use to five implements designed to cover all requirements.
Intended as an affordable everyday set of good quality cutlery Café is an example of Mellor’s belief that good design can operate on every level of the market and has now been in continuous production for over half a century.
With its simple flowing lines it is as nice to use as David Mellor's more expensive ranges, as ergonomically perfect as it is possible for basic cutlery to be.
Satin finish. Knife blades are made from high carbon stainless steel for a superior cutting edge.
David Mellor Design operates on the simple principle that well designed tableware is a vital part of any interior. The company was set up by David Mellor, Royal Designer for Industry, in the 1950s. The first and now famous David Mellor shop opened in Sloane Square, London, in 1969 and soon became a focal point of Swinging Sixties Chelsea and remains one of London’s most original and individual shops. We run our own design office within the company and so the David Mellor collection is constantly evolving. Many of our products are designed by Corin Mellor, Creative Director, exclusively for the David Mellor shops and are produced by specially selected workshop producers and manufacturers. David Mellor now holds one of the most impressive collections of the finest British Crafts and sophisticated modern tableware and kitchenware, including the world famous David Mellor Cutlery, to be found on the international scene.
David Mellor was one of the great 20th century designers with an international reputation for his cutlery. He was born in Sheffield and trained originally as a silversmith. Examples of his metalwork are in museum collections as over the world. David Mellor established his first workshop in 1973 before moving production to his purpose-built factory, The Round Building in Hathersage, Derbyshire, in 1990. He has drawn on Sheffield traditions of craftsmanship in evolving a product altogether of our time.