Everyday Rituals: The Art of Gathering
A conversation with Kim of Maison Kim London, on food, handmade objects and the rituals that bring people together.
On food, craft and the quiet rituals of gathering.
Everyday Rituals is a series by ONE OF A KIND EDITION exploring the small, repeated gestures that shape how we live — and the objects, food and traditions that give them meaning.
Soomin and Kim first met while preparing for ONE OF A KIND EDITION’s inaugural exhibition, TABLED: CELEBRATION IN CRAFT, presented during London Craft Week.
For the private view, Soomin invited Kim to create a unique food presentation that brought together influences from Korean, British, French and Vietnamese cultures. Rather than presenting each tradition separately, the idea was to let them meet naturally around the table — reflecting London itself, a city shaped by different cultures, shared experiences and the new communities that emerge between them.
That first collaboration opened a wider conversation about food, craft and gathering, and the ways in which each can create a sense of connection and belonging.
For Everyday Rituals, Soomin asked Kim what food, craft and gathering mean to her — and how the simple acts of cooking, sharing and setting the table can become meaningful rituals in everyday life.
For Kim, food is a way of showing care. Growing up between French and Vietnamese cultures, she experienced the table as the centre of family life. Today, that same spirit continues through her cooking and the communities she has built: generous dishes placed in the middle, handmade objects collected over time, and the simple pleasure of sharing.
What does “ritual” mean to you in cooking and sharing food with family and friends?
Ritual is the small, repeated gestures — cooking for people, setting the table, and sitting down together. It’s how I show love and care.
Are there food rituals or traditions that bring people together in your family or community?
I grew up between French and Vietnamese cultures, so food has always been central to family life. Over time, I’ve also built my own community around it through cafés and cooking.
I love placing many dishes in the middle of the table and letting everyone share.
How do the objects you cook with or serve on shape the experience of gathering around a table?
They shape it a lot. I collect plates, bowls and serving pieces, mixing old finds with handmade objects. I don’t like a table to feel too perfect — I want it to feel beautiful, but lived in and full of story.
What draws you to handmade plates and serving pieces when creating a table for others?
I love the imperfections. You can feel the maker’s hand in each piece, and no two are exactly the same. My cooking is also instinctive and handmade, so it feels natural to serve it on objects made with the same care.
How can food and craft create a deeper sense of connection and community around the table?
They both connect people through care and intention. I’ve always loved collaborating with florists, ceramicists, designers and makers because everyone adds something different to the table.
We believe the objects we live with quietly shape our everyday rituals. A handmade plate, a favourite bowl or a serving piece collected over time becomes part of the memories formed around it.
Kim’s approach reflects this beautifully. A table does not need to be perfect. It can be layered, instinctive and personal — a place where different cultures, food, objects and people come together, each bringing their own story.
Perhaps this is what makes gathering a ritual in itself: not simply the act of coming together, but creating a space where something can be shared, remembered and, over time, become part of a new community.
Where gatherings become art.
Interview by Soomin Go | Photography by Noemie Graciani & Kim
About Kim
Kim is a chef, creative and founder of Maison Kim. Formerly of Maison d’être and Maison Bleue, she is a first-generation Vietnamese, born in Paris and based in London for the past 20 years.
After running her two cafés for 15 years, Kim chose to step into a new chapter — one that allowed more space for her wellbeing and the things she loves most about her work: food, people and the connections created between them.
Today, her approach to food is rooted in this sense of balance and togetherness, bringing people around the table through thoughtful cooking, sharing and gathering.