Robert Welch has an international reputation for well-designed, functional, and durable cutlery and tableware and has been the recipient of a number of internationally renowned design awards since 1955.
Across seven decades, Robert Welch products have received over 70 design awards. Recognition for design, customer service and manufacturing excellence is something we have always celebrated and here you can read about some of our award highlights.
Robert Welch has an international reputation for well-designed, functional, and durable cutlery and tableware and has been the recipient of a number of internationally renowned design awards since 1955.
Across seven decades, Robert Welch products have received over 70 design awards. Recognition for design, customer service and manufacturing excellence is something we have always celebrated and here you can read about some of our award highlights.
2022, Drink Stirrers from the Barware Collection
2022, Drink Stirrers from the Barware Collection
Kit deBretton Gordon, Head of Design, said: “The team at Robert Welch were thrilled to be awarded a Good Design Award for our new drink stirrers. These unique designs provide a sustainable and re-usable option for hotels and restaurants or, in a retail context, an apt gift for the environmentally mindful homeowner.”
Good Design remains the oldest and most recognized program for design excellence worldwide. Founded in Chicago in 1950 by Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., Eero Saarinen, and Charles and Ray Eames, the Chicago Athenaeum continues the organisation of the program to create an awareness about contemporary design.
Kit deBretton Gordon, Head of Design, said: “The team at Robert Welch were thrilled to be awarded a Good Design Award for our new drink stirrers. These unique designs provide a sustainable and re-usable option for hotels and restaurants or, in a retail context, an apt gift for the environmentally mindful homeowner.”
Good Design remains the oldest and most recognized program for design excellence worldwide. Founded in Chicago in 1950 by Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., Eero Saarinen, and Charles and Ray Eames, the Chicago Athenaeum continues the organisation of the program to create an awareness about contemporary design.
2022, Drink Stirrers from the Barware Collection
Kit deBretton Gordon, Head of Design, said: “The team at Robert Welch were thrilled to be awarded a Good Design Award for our new drink stirrers. These unique designs provide a sustainable and re-usable option for hotels and restaurants or, in a retail context, an apt gift for the environmentally mindful homeowner.”
Good Design remains the oldest and most recognized program for design excellence worldwide. Founded in Chicago in 1950 by Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., Eero Saarinen, and Charles and Ray Eames, the Chicago Athenaeum continues the organisation of the program to create an awareness about contemporary design.
2020, Radford Cutlery from Cutlery Collection 5.0
Alice Welch, joint managing director, said: "Winning the German Design Award is a tremendous accolade; it recognises all aspects of production from concept to creation. Radford cutlery is our best-selling collection and with the new additions to the range being unveiled at this year's Ambiente, this award is very significant for our business and the whole team."
Established on the initiative of the German Bundestag as a foundation in 1953, the German Design Award supports the industry at generating an added brand value through design.
2020, Contour Noir Cutlery from the Master Cutlery Collection
Kit deBretton Gordon, Head of Design, said: "We've entered and attended the Tableware International Awards of Excellence twice previously and were pipped to the post, so it's a huge delight to have won this year. I'm so pleased that the judges liked Contour Noir. It's a bold collection; the black and steel pieces are a dramatic addition to any table."
2019, Drift Beverage Collection from Drinkware
A statement by the awards Jury states: “The Drift Beverage Collection is marked by its unique and distinctive lines. It furthermore convinces with precisely processed stainless steel.”
Established in 1954, the red dot awards are one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world and are an acknowledgment of high quality design. The award-winning products are exhibited to an international public in the red dot museum in Essen, Germany.
2019, Signature Book and Prism Knife Block Sets
Paul deBretton Gordon, Design Director, said: “We’re thrilled to be awarded the Cutting Edge category trophy for the second year running, especially as we were up against some amazing products and brands. The Signature Book and Prism blocks have been tremendously popular since they launched earlier this year and to be considered so highly by the judges is an honour!”
Established in 2000, the Excellence in Housewares Awards have been embraced by the industry and recognised as ‘The Oscars' for the housewares trade.
Jury statement: “Selected for the knives as well as the solid knife block that's holding them. Elegant and well grounded.”
Founded in 1953 as Die Gute Industrieform e.V., iF Design has since become a global symbol of excellent design. iF provides a fundamental contribution to the success of design services in an economic context and to the creation of public awareness of design.
1984, Kitchen Devils Professional Kitchen Knives
In acknowledgement of its innovative ergonomically informed design, the Kitchen Devils Professional Kitchen Knives received a Design Centre Award in 1984 for being "An Outstanding British Product" – a testament to its benchmark-setting design credentials. The judging panel, chaired by the industrial designer Kenneth Grange would also note: "The knives work well ergonomically – the shapes of both blades and handles are excellently thought out."
The Council of Industrial Design (now the Design Council) launched its annual Design Centre Awards Scheme in 1957. In 1959 the annual Design Centre Awards were augmented by the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design.
1958, Campden Toast rack
The toast rack design was praised by the jury for its “elegant and ingenious construction” and noted as “a good step forward in an industry in which the imitating of older forms in other materials has been more common than original thinking.”
In December 1957, the Campden toast rack was selected as a “product of outstanding design” by the Council of Industrial Design having been exhibited in its London Design Centre. The following year it won one of the Council’s annual ‘Designs of the Year’ awards, a forerunner of the Design Centre Awards, and presented by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh. This was the first of many major awards that Robert Welch would receive during his long and prolific career.
The Council of Industrial Design (now the Design Council) launched its annual Design Centre Awards Scheme in 1957. In 1959 the annual Design Centre Awards were augmented by the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design.
2020, Radford Cutlery from Cutlery Collection 5.0
2020, Radford Cutlery from Cutlery Collection 5.0
Alice Welch, joint managing director, said: "Winning the German Design Award is a tremendous accolade; it recognises all aspects of production from concept to creation. Radford cutlery is our best-selling collection and with the new additions to the range being unveiled at this year's Ambiente, this award is very significant for our business and the whole team."
Established on the initiative of the German Bundestag as a foundation in 1953, the German Design Award supports the industry at generating an added brand value through design.
2020, Contour Noir Cutlery from the Master Cutlery Collection
2020, Contour Noir Cutlery from the Master Cutlery Collection
Kit deBretton Gordon, Head of Design, said: "We've entered and attended the Tableware International Awards of Excellence twice previously and were pipped to the post, so it's a huge delight to have won this year. I'm so pleased that the judges liked Contour Noir. It's a bold collection; the black and steel pieces are a dramatic addition to any table."
Kit deBretton Gordon, Head of Design, said: "We've entered and attended the Tableware International Awards of Excellence twice previously and were pipped to the post, so it's a huge delight to have won this year. I'm so pleased that the judges liked Contour Noir. It's a bold collection; the black and steel pieces are a dramatic addition to any table."
2019, Drift Beverage Collection from Drinkware
2019, Drift Beverage Collection from Drinkware
A statement by the awards Jury states: “The Drift Beverage Collection is marked by its unique and distinctive lines. It furthermore convinces with precisely processed stainless steel.”
Established in 1954, the red dot awards are one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world and are an acknowledgment of high quality design. The award-winning products are exhibited to an international public in the red dot museum in Essen, Germany.
2019, Signature Book and Prism Knife Block Sets
2019, Signature Book and Prism Knife Block Sets
Paul deBretton Gordon, Design Director, said: “We’re thrilled to be awarded the Cutting Edge category trophy for the second year running, especially as we were up against some amazing products and brands. The Signature Book and Prism blocks have been tremendously popular since they launched earlier this year and to be considered so highly by the judges is an honour!”
Established in 2000, the Excellence in Housewares Awards have been embraced by the industry and recognised as ‘The Oscars' for the housewares trade.
Paul deBretton Gordon, Design Director, said: “We’re thrilled to be awarded the Cutting Edge category trophy for the second year running, especially as we were up against some amazing products and brands. The Signature Book and Prism blocks have been tremendously popular since they launched earlier this year and to be considered so highly by the judges is an honour!”
Established in 2000, the Excellence in Housewares Awards have been embraced by the industry and recognised as ‘The Oscars' for the housewares trade.
Jury statement: “Selected for the knives as well as the solid knife block that's holding them. Elegant and well grounded.”
Founded in 1953 as Die Gute Industrieform e.V., iF Design has since become a global symbol of excellent design. iF provides a fundamental contribution to the success of design services in an economic context and to the creation of public awareness of design.
1984, Kitchen Devils Professional Kitchen Knives
1984, Kitchen Devils Professional Kitchen Knives
In acknowledgement of its innovative ergonomically informed design, the Kitchen Devils Professional Kitchen Knives received a Design Centre Award in 1984 for being "An Outstanding British Product" – a testament to its benchmark-setting design credentials. The judging panel, chaired by the industrial designer Kenneth Grange would also note: "The knives work well ergonomically – the shapes of both blades and handles are excellently thought out."
The Council of Industrial Design (now the Design Council) launched its annual Design Centre Awards Scheme in 1957. In 1959 the annual Design Centre Awards were augmented by the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design.
In acknowledgement of its innovative ergonomically informed design, the Kitchen Devils Professional Kitchen Knives received a Design Centre Award in 1984 for being "An Outstanding British Product" – a testament to its benchmark-setting design credentials. The judging panel, chaired by the industrial designer Kenneth Grange would also note: "The knives work well ergonomically – the shapes of both blades and handles are excellently thought out."
The Council of Industrial Design (now the Design Council) launched its annual Design Centre Awards Scheme in 1957. In 1959 the annual Design Centre Awards were augmented by the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design.
1958, Campden Toast rack
1958, Campden Toast rack
The toast rack design was praised by the jury for its “elegant and ingenious construction” and noted as “a good step forward in an industry in which the imitating of older forms in other materials has been more common than original thinking.”
In December 1957, the Campden toast rack was selected as a “product of outstanding design” by the Council of Industrial Design having been exhibited in its London Design Centre. The following year it won one of the Council’s annual ‘Designs of the Year’ awards, a forerunner of the Design Centre Awards, and presented by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh. This was the first of many major awards that Robert Welch would receive during his long and prolific career.
The Council of Industrial Design (now the Design Council) launched its annual Design Centre Awards Scheme in 1957. In 1959 the annual Design Centre Awards were augmented by the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design.
