In the world of kitchens where pots and pans are the most important thing, we decided to show you that this isn’t quite true. After getting to know Hokan, our opinion changed, especially after learning that one set of Hokan provides you with five uses—preparing, cooking, storing, serving and saving food. Hokan is unique and stylish. Having their products in our VegClub team’s kitchen prompted us to write this article about the brand and chat with Alistair Donald, the founder and CEO of Hokan.

Chic, sustainable and rich in values

Hokan, a British design company, is revolutionising kitchen and home products with a unique blend of innovation and sustainability. Committed to sustainable and efficient living, Hokan’s mission is to create items that save food, money and time while reducing plastic use and tackling food waste. Their ethos is clear: sustainability can be both practical and aesthetically pleasing, with products designed to last a lifetime. This approach not only appeals to environmentally conscious consumers but also promotes a meaningful and satisfying way of living.

At the heart of Hokan’s offerings is the Hokan Bowl, designed by Alistair Donald. As a father cooking for two sons, Donald became acutely aware of the excessive food waste in his kitchen. His solution was to replace traditional plastic storage containers with stackable stoneware bowls. These bowls eliminate the need for leaning towers of mismatched containers, offering a streamlined and practical storage solution. The Hokan Bowl serves multiple purposes in the kitchen, from food preparation to storage, thereby minimising kitchen clutter and the need for excess implements. Its stoneware construction ensures durability, making it a lifetime purchase that reduces the need for disposable alternatives.

VegClub (VC): What inspired you to shift from plastic storage solutions to stackable stoneware bowls and how did your personal experience influence the design of the Hokan Bowl?

Alistair Donald (AD): To be honest, I have never considered plastic storage to be traditional. In fact, Hokan has not reinvented the wheel here; we have just gone back to the traditional, centuries-old method of storing food safely and hygienically in glazed stoneware. Plastic, which has been introduced over the last five decades, can never be safe as it continually sheds particles, whereas the ceramic glaze is a coloured, molten glass fired at 1100 degrees centigrade to form an impervious, washable surface that will last a lifetime. And more!

Launched exclusively at The Conran Shop, Hokan Bowls have been enthusiastically received by the press, cooks and customers alike. This success underscores a growing awareness and concern about food waste in the UK, where 7 million tonnes of edible food are discarded annually. Hokan Limited is dedicated to producing products that not only reflect their ethos of saving time, money and food but also promote conscientious cooking and efficient living.

Family environment and commitment 

Daniela Exley

Hokan’s commitment to sustainability extends to its packaging and operational practices. The company uses recycled cardboard with minimal colour and printing and repurposes shipping cartons to reduce waste further. By coordinating collections and deliveries to minimise the activation of courier transport services, Hokan reduces its carbon footprint. The company partners with like-minded organisations that share their sustainable and ethical values, ensuring that their entire supply chain operates with the same dedication to sustainability and fairness.

Read more 13 unforgettable vegan gifts: Stylish & sustainable ideas

Despite its small size, Hokan operates like a tight-knit family. The company nurtures a culture of care and mutual support among its staff. This familial atmosphere extends to their larger partners, with whom they have cultivated relationships based on shared values of nurture, diversity and fairness. These strong partnerships have been instrumental in Hokan's ongoing success and innovation.

VC: How does Hokan ensure that its entire supply chain, from production to packaging, adheres to its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices?

AD: In designing the Hokan Bowls, I wanted to replace the many bowls of leftover food in my fridge, each covered with a saucer and piled up precariously. By innovating a circular handle on the lid that fits into the foot of another bowl, I was able to make them stackable to maximise space in the fridge. It was important to make them functional, with multi-use from freezer to oven, but also to ensure they looked good, as our ultimate desire is for them to be used as often as possible to save on food waste.

In addition to the Hokan Bowl, the company offers a range of kitchen utensils designed to complement their ethos of sustainability and efficiency. These utensils are crafted from durable, eco-friendly materials that ensure longevity and reduce the need for frequent replacements. From ergonomic spatulas to multifunctional kitchen tools, each item is thoughtfully designed to enhance the cooking experience while minimising waste. Hokan's products are perfect for any home cook or chef, providing reliable and stylish tools that make cooking more enjoyable and sustainable.

Hokan’s dedication to innovation is evident in their continuous efforts to develop new products. Though a small business, Hokan takes careful steps to ensure that each new product idea is meticulously tested and refined before reaching the market. This commitment to quality and sustainability promises an expanding product line that will continue to meet the needs of their environmentally conscious customers. As they continue to grow and innovate, Hokan remains steadfast in their mission to provide practical, attractive and lasting solutions for the kitchen and home, proving that sustainable living can indeed be both meaningful and satisfying.

Transform your kitchen sustainably today! Hokan is giving our readers a 15% discount on your purchase at Hokan’s website with the code VEGCLUB15.

If you enjoy our articles and want to read more of our content, check out the top 7 vegan restaurants in Germany for you to try this summer. Perhaps take a look at so young and so vegan: Ryan Spänhoff—’The Junior Chef’ on how he became vegan. Or explore Vienna named world’s most liveable city in 2024, for the third consecutive time.