Susan Gravely reflects on 40 years in tabletop

NEW YORK — Vietri will kick off a milestone anniversary during the New York Tabletop Show later this month with a party in its newest showroom, a slew of new products, and a memoir written by company co-founder Susan Gravely.

Next year will mark the company’s 40th anniversary. Gravely, along with her sister Frances and mother Lee, founded Vietri in 1983 after a family trip to Italy, where they fell in love with colorful handpainted dinnerware from the Amalfi Coast. Vietri has grown from a small company representing one Italian factory to one of the largest importers of handcrafted Italian products in the business.

“2023 will be a year focused on storytelling, celebrating our history and looking to the future and what it may hold,” said Vietri President Holli Draughn. “Growing a successful business over the last 40 years has so much to do with Italy and the talented artisans who reside there, our loyal customers and community, and of course, our Vietri family.”

Vietri will celebrate its coming 40^th anniversary with a cocktail party on Tuesday, Oct. 18^th from 3-6 p.m. in its 9^th floor showroom at 41 Madison Avenue.

In honor of its anniversary, Susan Gravely has written a memoir of her time spent in Italy over the last four decades. The memoir, Italy on a Plate, which will be published next March, is also part cookbook, with 50 recipes, both family favorites and those from friends, representing different regions throughout Italy.

The book celebrates the simple act of sharing a meal with family and friends, and goes on to showcase authentic Italian traditions, celebrations, homes and gardens in beautiful pictures and prose. It also shares ideas on entertaining with effortless and elegant Italian style. The final chapter of the book features Susan Gravely’s own home in Chapel Hill, N.C., with a look into her own family traditions and special holiday recipes.

“In reflecting back over the last 40 years in business, I was struck by how many incredible relationships and experiences I have been blessed with, both in Italy and here at home,” said Gravely. ‘When I started this amazing adventure with my mother and sister in 1983, I don’t think any of us could have ever dreamt we would be where we are today. I wanted to find a way to pay homage to the people and places, the opened homes and shared dinner tables, the hard work achieved and the special moments created throughout this journey with people who have become my family. Italy on a Plate showcases all of these fond memories and writing it has truly brought joy to my life.”