Proof is in the pudding: Polonsky & Friends prove there’s still plenty of space for handmade beauty

“Food permeates every aspect of my life,” says Anna Polonsky, who, as far back as she can remember, has been enchanted by the world of food. An interest kindled by her father, an avid cook, her penchant for food – and its inherent power to convey stories and preserve histories – has shaped her work. A career in hospitality led her to start her first creative agency, The MP Shift, and later, to branding and design consultancy Polonsky & Friends (P&F), based in Brooklyn. Although food is still very much at the heart of P&F, there are a few things that Polonsky did differently with it – for one, she set her focus on working with hospitality brands that value inclusivity, sustainability, and craftsmanship. This spoke to her own dedication to craft, which also sets P&F apart. Working with analogue techniques and a specialised focus on print and tactility, the team at the agency believes in making things with their hands, and celebrating the innate flaws and beauty of the handmade. In a hyper-digital era where almost everything is experienced and consumed on screens, P&F’s body of work is tinged with a charm that can only be experienced through the artisanal and the familiar. With P&F’s fifth birthday just around the corner, Polonsky sits down with us for a chat and reflects on the last few years of the consultancy. We accompany her for the trip down memory lane, occasionally pausing to understand how print design reflects “the fluid and imperfect process of cooking,” unpack the challenges of running an independent studio, and also cast our eyes to the future.