Bridgewater Local’s Pottery Showcased At Whole Foods

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — It’s been a long journey to get to Whole Foods for Bridgewater local and potter Keiko Inouye. But now her handmade plates are sold and showcased at the new store in the township.

Inouye, a Bridgewater-Raritan East High School graduate, had always had a passion for pottery. After graduating high school, she went to Wesleyan University in Conneticut where she majored in Biochemistry and minored in Ceramics.

She then traveled to Soja, Japan to do a four-year apprenticeship with Kaitaro Kojima. He is the first apprentice of the son Kyosuke Fujiwara of National Living Treasure, Kei Fujiwara.

She took a break to start her family and then wanted to figure out a way to get back into it. She started working as a runner/server for the Pluckemin Inn where she met Chef AJ Capella who introduced her to Chef Craig Polignano in regards to her handmade plates.

Polignano was then the chef at the Ryland Inn and is now head chef at Jockey Hollow Bar and Kitchen in Morristown.

“Polignano was very enthusiastic and once I started, word spread and I now have plates at several New Jersey restaurants such as Common Lot, the Ryland Inn, Viaggio, Pig & Prince, Jockey Hollow Bar and Kitchen, Fascino and Heirloom Kitchen,” Inouye said. “I feel very lucky and honored to have my plates in these restaurants.”

By creating these plates, Inouye was able to “marry” her two favorite things: Food and ceramics.

Now with her popularity growing, Inouye was approached by Whole Foods to have her work sold at the store’s Plant & Plate, a new lifestyle shop dedicated to beauty, garden and home goods.

“I am really excited about this opportunity,” Inouye said.

Inouye also sells her plateware at the Bridgewater’s Farmer’s Market.

To check out more of her work and learn more about Inouye visit KeikoPots.com or email KeikoPots@gmail.com.

(Images by Herb Galang @thesocialpause)

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