From Clay to Culinary Canvas: The Art of Dining by Esther Been

In the refined world of modern hospitality design, few creators combine artisan craftsmanship, emotional storytelling, and sustainable values quite like Esther Been — founder of both Maravillas Ceramics and the newly launched Joyas Tableware. Esther is not just a designer. She is a storyteller in stoneware, a visionary who views the plate not as a prop, but as a narrative surface that holds both the food and the soul of a dining experience.

With more than two decades of expertise across interior styling, hospitality entrepreneurship, and ceramic design, Esther’s trajectory reflects a rare depth of experience. After opening a high-end restaurant and events venue in the Netherlands, she found herself unable to source tableware that resonated with her artistic vision and functional expectations. So she began to create her own.

Maravillas Ceramics – Where Miracles Meet the Table

In 2016, from the historic Fort Benoorden Purmerend — part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Esther founded Maravillas Ceramics. The name Maravillas means “miracles” in Spanish, perfectly embodying her mission: to amaze chefs and guests alike with handcrafted stoneware that elevates food into an experience.

Each plate is shaped and glazed by hand, often inspired by natural forms — moss, coral, bark, seafoam — and created in intimate dialogue with chefs. No two pieces are the same. Fired at 1250°C, her stoneware is built for durability, elegance, and the rigors of professional service. Stackable, dishwasher-safe, and scratch-resistant, Maravillas plates are now featured in fine-dining restaurants, boutique hotels, private yachts, and exclusive dining rooms across 22 countries.

Esther’s signature? Organic shapes with quiet drama, muted yet complex glazes, and tableware that lets chefs “plate like poets.”

Introducing Joyas – Affordable Luxury with a Soul

But not everyone can access handcrafted custom stoneware. And so Esther launched Joyas — her second brand — a collection of high-quality, industrially made stoneware designed in the Netherlands and produced in Portugal. The original prototypes are sculpted by hand in the same Maravillas studio, meaning the finished Joyas pieces retain the same signature style: organic, natural, timeless.

The name Joyas (Spanish for jewels) reflects her vision: to offer plates that are both beautiful and meaningful. Designed to be oven-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe, Joyas makes design-driven hospitality more accessible to chefs, restaurants, and home entertainers alike.

Brisa del Mar – The First Joyas Collection

The inaugural Joyas line, “Brisa del Mar” (Sea Breeze), is inspired by the elegance and mystique of the ocean. It features coral-textured reliefs, and comes in a shimmering pearl white and a deep blue-grey glaze, reflecting the shifting tones of coastal waters. Like her Maravillas line, Brisa del Mar bridges aesthetic and utility, designed for everyday durability and elevated ambiance.

In keeping with Joyas’ commitment to nature, each themed collection will support an aligned environmental charity — transforming every table setting into a conscious gesture.

Design with Meaning – The Philosophy Behind Esther's Craft

Whether through Maravillas or Joyas, Esther’s philosophy centers around “emotional functionality.” A plate must serve, yes—but also inspire. Her collections are intentionally designed to complement plating styles, enhance storytelling, and evoke sensory memory.

Her work is ideal for:

- Chefs seeking a signature presentation style 
- Luxury event planners curating immersive experiences 
- Boutique hotels offering design-conscious dining 
- Culinary content creators and food stylists 
- Home entertainers who value sustainable beauty 

And importantly, for those who believe that tableware should speak as eloquently as the food it holds.

Looking Ahead: Forest, Earth, and Beyond

Over the next two years, Esther plans to expand Joyas into four full collections, each themed around elements of nature: ocean, earth, flora, and forest. Each collection will offer at least eight mix-and-match colorways, designed to let chefs and stylists build layered table narratives.

With her eye on collaborations, location-based pop-ups, and even a Joyas cookbook & styling guide, Esther’s vision continues to grow — grounded in craftsmanship, storytelling, and sustainability.

A Story Told in Clay and Coastal Light

Designer Esther Been doesn’t just shape ceramics — she sculpts atmosphere, capturing fleeting natural moods in solid form. Whether it’s a wave frozen in glaze, a coral relief echoing marine elegance, or a matte earthen tone that grounds the senses, each piece invites us to experience more than just a meal.

With Maravillas, Esther brings intimate, hand-touched refinement to the finest dining tables in the world. With Joyas, she shares that artistry more widely — offering the same visual poetry, now made accessible through thoughtful industrial craft.

This summer, through the All4Chefs Summer Menu Challenge, Esther continues her belief in creative generosity — selecting one participating chef to receive a custom-made Maravillas ceramic: a unique collaboration between chef and artisan, bound by vision and respect.

For those who view the table as both a stage and sanctuary, Esther Been’s creations become part of a deeper hospitality story — one written in earth, water, fire, and feeling.

Discover More

Maravillas Ceramics – Handmade Stoneware for Fine Dining 
www.maravillas.nl 
Instagram: @maravillas.ceramics 
info@maravillas.nl

Joyas Tableware – Affordable Luxury with a Story 
www.joyas-tableware.com 
Instagram: @joyas.tableware 
hello@joyas-tableware.com