Ajorí: A Masterpiece of Culinary Design Inspired by Nature

Carlos Jimenez Perez & Pilar Balsalobre's Award-Winning Kitchenware Innovation

The design of Ajorí is a unique blend of form and function. It serves as a condiment container, designed to organize and store various spices and condiments, adapting to the diverse culinary customs of each country. The design is inspired by the universally known bulb of garlic, resulting in a sculptural piece that is not only functional but also an excellent conversation initiator around the table. Ajorí is environmentally friendly, made entirely from natural materials, and its packaging design is inspired by the skin of garlic, generating a singular proposal of eco-packaging.

The realization of Ajorí involves a careful blend of industrial and handicraft production. It is made from porcelain, glass, and wood, a fusion of warm and cool materials. The porcelain is produced using techniques of slip casting and high pressure, and the pieces are finally enamelled and hand-painted. The wooden handle is hand-carved, polished, and finished with vegetable oil and natural wax. The anti-drip cannulas of the cruet are carved by hand, using colored borosilicate glass.

Ajorí is not just a product, but an experience. In the professional sector of restoration, it introduces a new concept of creative cuisine. At home, or on the table of a restaurant, Ajorí generates positive emotions. Its garlic form can be an excellent protector of our home or business against bad vibrations, according to the designers' notes on how the design works.

The design process of Ajorí was a journey of research and creativity. The project, which took place from May to September 2011 in Madrid, Spain, was the first of a line of research entitled "NATURA IMITATIS", from the Latin, imitating nature. The main challenge was the complex engagement of a large number of pieces of diverse functionality in a unique form of garlic bulb, which was simple and universally recognizable.

Ajorí is a testament to the power of design to transform everyday objects into works of art. It was awarded the Golden A' Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design Award in 2014, a prestigious recognition granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.