Meatballs are taking center stage at the dinner table.
IKEA has teamed up with designer Gustaf Westman for the first time to create a 12-piece holiday collection for hosts with a unique aesthetic — including a dish developed exclusively to cradle the home store’s flagship foods: Swedish meatballs.
The trough-shaped platter is about 12 inches long, tailored to fit approximately a dozen meatballs.
While most cooks loathe kitchen tools with a singular function, IKEA’s new meatball plate is stealing hungry hearts — and sure to become a sought-after centerpiece for any Christmas tablescape.
“I love designing objects for a specific function — it brings a touch of humor and makes them instantly easy to grasp,” Westman said in a statement.
Meanwhile, IKEA shoppers on social media reacted with a heaping helping of humor. And while many conceded that it’s not a tool they “need,” what it lacks in utility is made up for by sheer whimsy.
“This feels like April Fools,” said one Instagram user on IKEA’s recent product post.
“What the hell is this? I need one,” declared another, to which Westman responded, “Exactly how I want people to react to my stuff.”
“This is so pointless and perfect,” another echoed.
Westman has said he’s embracing the ridiculousness of the silly dinnerware, adding that it’s “so mean the meatballs had to share a plate before.”
The silly supperware makes a lot of sense for IKEA.
IKEA has been serving its beloved meatballs for 40 years, selling about one billion annually. Over the years, the store has added additional meatball options such as plant-based, chicken and salmon.
“In Sweden, meatballs mean Christmas, and this plate is my way of honoring that tradition,” Westman added. “The design is simple, lining up the meatballs so each one is visible, like they’re sitting on little thrones. And while it was created with meatballs in mind, it works just as well for many other dishes,”
Meanwhile, creative minds online have also mused on even more specialized uses for the gadget.
- “I don’t eat meat, can I just put one big asparagus? Please say yes, I need it.”
- “Oohh, this would be perfect voor bitterballen here in The Netherlands. The thing we didn’t know we needed.”
- “I think I would use it for sushi rolls,” another shared.
- “I’m thinking … Ants on a log for my toddler.”
- “The middle would be good for sauce or dip, and put things to dip around the outside.”
- “This would be the perfect food dish for my pet tortoise.”
- “Use the outside of the plate for meatballs and the inner section for sauce. Or you could have two tiers of meatballs. Or throw this out and just use a regular bowl I don’t know why I’m trying to make this thing work when regular bowls exist and do a better job.”
For their part, IKEA also recommended using the tray for olives, cheese, fruits and sweets.
The full collection will be available in IKEA stores on Oct. 1 and online on Oct. 3 as part of IKEA’s larger annual winter holiday collection, VINTERFINT.
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