London Craft Week at Islington Square

London Craft Week returns to Islington Square from 9th to 15th May for a showcase of exceptional craftsmanship. From an intimate exploration of Japanese food and award-winning sake co-led by JIJI and Kanpai brewery, to an exhibition of hand-moulded Amelia Ayerst floral sculptures by artist Shannon Clegg, a culinary workshop focused on high-craft knife skills hosted by Borough Kitchen and a design collaboration between Arlo & Jacob and Duo-Hue. Islington Square will also be hosting a special evening on 12th May, complete with cocktails on the house for early arrivals and live music, in partnership with Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru.

JIJI x Kanpai
An exploration of sake tasting and Japanese food on Thursday 12th May, from 7.30pm to 10pm.

Experience the flavours of Japan with a delicious three-course meal, a round of sushi rolls, sake tasting and a limited-edition sake cocktail at the brand-new culinary hotspot JIJI. The UK's first sake brewery KANPAI, which means ‘cheers’ in Japanese, will guide diners through a bespoke sake tasting, with JIJI providing a selection of signature dishes to choose from. Based in Peckham, KANPAI creates modern British sake using traditional Japanese techniques.

Tickets can be booked through the London Craft Week website and cost £65 GBP per adult.

An introduction to knife techniques by leading kitchenware specialist Borough Kitchen. They will host a practical, hands-on lesson on how to use kitchen knives correctly, with a focus on why craftsmanship makes such a big difference. An abridged version of their signature Applied Knife Techniques class, the workshop will end in a dinner featuring food by prepared participants, all while learning the difference between European and Japanese knives, how to simplify (and enjoy) would-be tedious tasks like chopping onions, and more.

The workshop takes place on Thursday 12th May from 6.30pm to 8pm at Borough Kitchen’s store in Islington Square. Tickets are £49 and available on the LCW website:
www.londoncraftweek.com/events/kitchen-knives-and-how-to-use-them-correctly

‘Field’ exhibition by Shannon Clegg at Botany (free)
Designer-maker Shannon Clegg exhibits 'Field', a collection of 3D floral-based sculptural bouquets created using her unique hand-moulding technique and real flowers like Statice and Kangaroo Paw, which are naturally dried, formed and preserved. The exhibition is part of BOTANY’s pop-up at Islington Square, which focuses on connecting people with nature through craftsmanship.

The exhibition is open from Monday 9th to Sunday 15th May, from 11am to 6pm.

Complementary Colourways by Arlo & Jacob and Duo-Hue (free)
British furniture brand Arlo & Jacob and Duo-Hue founder Amelia Ayerst present Complementary Colourways, a display of embroidered artworks, newly launched woven blankets and cushions, and handcrafted sofas. Duo-Hue is a unique digital embroidery stitch that combines complementary colourways and differing stitch densities to create colour-morphing effects. The exhibition will be held at Arlo & Jacob’s Islington Square showroom, from Monday 9th May 2022 to Saturday 14th May 2022, from 10am to 6pm; and 15th May 2022, from 11am to 5pm.

On Thursday 12th May from 5pm to 7pm, Amelia and the Arlo & Jacob team will co-host a drinks reception supported by Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, a small batch gin, handcrafted to inspire creative possibilities.