"I have always felt that anything in my kitchen has to be beautiful as well as useful, and this new range of almost-matt, softly gleaming black flameware is a seductive case in point. I love their shapes, which manage to look elegant and cosy at the same time, and I find their all-round practicality indispensible: all of the pieces, the bulging casseroles, the marmitouts (meaning you can use both base and lid as cookware), the magisterial tagines (which I use for any stew or braise as it seems to intensify flavours and need less liquid) and the shallow casseroles - great for gratins and quick-cook dishes - can go from hob or oven to the table.

The material they're made of makes for quicker heating which in turn reduces cooking time and, what's more, they are a cinch to wash up. And if the bigger items are too big for a cupboard, know that they will look beautiful presiding from pride of place on the stove."