Potter back in kitchen after TV show success

A DUNDEE potter is set to turn up the heat following his appearance on a hit BBC Two show.

Stephen Winstanley, who recently starred in The Victorian House of Arts and Crafts, will visit Jessie’s Kitchen in Broughty Ferry on Saturday.

The 26-year-old will be bringing along his Raku kiln as he demonstrates techniques for sculpting pots.

Stephen – who previously worked as a kitchen porter in Jessie’s – said the method, popularised in Asia, dates back to the 15th Century.

He said he was looking forward to returning to his old work as he talked about his recent stint on TV.

The show is based around the Victorian era and looks at arts and crafts used during that time in history.

Presenters Anita Rani and Keith Brymer Jones accompany six craft experts as they practise arts and crafts like wallpaper printing, furniture building and ceramic design, formerly used by famous sculpters from the Victorian era.

Stephen said: “I heard about the show after I was given a poster from The McManus about a TV show looking for craft people.

“I had an interview on Skype and I got cast for it there and then.

“It has been on TV in the last few weeks, the filming was done in Chepstow in Wales.

“We were taken back into this Victorian arts and crafts bubble.

“It was seven days a week. We were based down there for the filming, which was done i n September of last year.”

The former Duncan of Jordanstone art and design student started sculpting at the age of 14.

He added: “I’d spoken with Ross, the co-owner at Jessie’s.

“He said it would be good to come and do a talk about what I do.”

Pots are cooked at more than 1,000 degrees before being dipped in sawdust. The pot is then starved of oxygen, creating a glaze effect.

Jessie’s co-owner, Ross Turriff, said there will be two sessions this Saturday.

He said: “Stephen worked in our kitchen for around six months or so.

“The last episode aired last week and we decided to get in touch with Stephen to see if he fancied coming in.

“There will be two sessions, one at around 10.30am and another at 2.30pm and entry to the event is free.”

Stephen gets to work on his potter’s wheel.