With three trips to Japan under his belt, Jesse has found such rich inspiration for design from the country and has also incorporated their sense of wabi sabi and some Japanese cultural traditions into his own personal life. They have such a delicate and refined way of living and doing things. Everything you need and nothing you don't. He also finds there's such a strong connection to nature as well as personal growth, development and wellbeing. For this lunch Jesse was inspired by the unfolding of a bento box, a progressive lunch served on a forest-shaded wooden bridge over a babbling brook. Jesse incorporated Japanese textiles, wire elements, river stones and pops of black to give the natural setting an austere formality that provides the perfect juxtaposition.
Photography by Melanie Duerkopp
Clematis, the vine pictured here, is not only a Japanese species, it is also arranged above in black stoneware vessels in the Ikebana style. Ikebana or "making flowers alive" is the Japanese style of floral arranging, a tradition in Japan for creating altars originally used in alcoves at Buddhist tea ceremonies. It's these thoughtful details that Jesse loves to embrace for his clients to bring their events to life.
Here, Jesse and chef Daniel Cappra reinvented the idea of the Bento Box. Originally designed for use in casual takeaway situations, this reimagined element was a noteworthy design detail that made the dining experience interactive and exploratory. Each level of the box featured a different surprise menu item for guests to discover, one bite at a time.