Elizabeth David chose Denney's photography and interior design to showcase her work as a chef and cookbook writer for many years. As well as photographing food for her books and magazine features, Denney designed the original décor for the window displays of Elizabeth David Ltd.
For The Denney Edition, perfumer Tasha Marks from AVM Curiosities, ceramicist Justine Hounam, and students from Havering College have collaborated to create a sensory artwork.
A Denney Scenterpiece
The installation consists of a series of scented ceremaic pears, oranges, and figs presented service á la pyramide in celebration of the displays Denney used for table settting, displays for his kitchen dresser and Elizabeth David's shop windows.
The ceramic forms and their aromas take their inspiration from fruit found in Denney's photographs, infused with flavours from recipes found in Elizabeth David's publications and Denney's historical cookbook collection, such as The Experienced English Housekeeper by Elizabeth Raffald (first published in 1969). Fragrant, spiced, and fruity, they represent the variety of flavours and influences in post-war Britain.