Italian Olivewood Box Cheese Grater

A stainless grater plate that rests across an open Umbrian olivewood box, so the cheese falls into the box instead of onto the counter. Grate at the table, lift the plate out, serve from the box.

This is the form Italian households have used for grating Parmigiano and Pecorino for generations — practical rather than decorative, though olivewood makes it both. The grating plate is stainless steel with a wire handle and lifts free for washing. The box is cut and joined from Umbrian olivewood, with the dark irregular grain that makes every one different.

It sits well on a table already set with hand-painted Deruta, and it's substantial enough to leave out. Arrives in a cotton bag, ready to give.

The small imperfections such as the difference in color, shape, diameter or small bubbles that form inside, do not constitute a defect but testify that it is actually an artisanal product.

Dimensions: 10" long including handle x 4" wide · Box depth 2.5"
Material: Umbrian olivewood with stainless steel grating plate
Made in: Umbria, Italy
Workshop: Family woodturning workshop in Umbria
Pattern: Natural grain — each piece unique
Heritage: Umbrian olivewood — the same region as Deruta
Care: Hand-wash only · Dry immediately · Not dishwasher, microwave, or oven safe · Oil occasionally with food-grade mineral oil
Sold as: Individual, in a cotton bag
Mixes with: All Deruta majolica patterns, Tomassini grinders, Busatti linens

How does it work? The stainless plate sits across the top of the olivewood box. Grate across it and the cheese collects in the box below. Lift the plate out and the box becomes the serving dish.

Does the grater come out for washing? Yes. The plate lifts free of the box entirely, so you can wash the steel without soaking the wood.

How do I care for olivewood? Hand-wash only, in warm water with mild soap, and dry immediately — never leave the wood soaking or sitting wet. Keep it out of the dishwasher, microwave, and oven. When the surface starts to look dry or chalky, rub in a little food-grade mineral oil and let it absorb overnight.

What cheeses is it for? Hard aging cheeses — Parmigiano-Reggiano, Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano. Soft cheeses will clog the plate.

How much does the box hold? The box is 2.5" deep — enough grated cheese for a table of four to six. Grate ahead and bring it out with the pasta.

How do I clean cheese out of the grater plate? Use a dry brush before washing. Dried cheese comes off far more easily than wet.

Does it come ready to give? Yes. It ships in a cotton bag — no additional wrapping needed.

Where in Italy does the wood come from? Umbria, the same central Italian region as Deruta, where Biordi's hand-painted majolica is made. Umbria is one of Italy's principal olive-growing areas, and the wood comes from trees retired after decades of fruiting.

Is this a good Italian wedding gift? Yes. It's the kind of piece a couple uses weekly for decades, and it pairs naturally with a Deruta pasta bowl or serving platter.

Is this a good housewarming or hostess gift? Very much so — it's useful, it's Italian, it arrives gift-ready in its cotton bag, and it goes straight onto the table rather than into a cupboard.

Why buy Italian gifts from Biordi rather than other retailers? Biordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic Italian ceramics and tableware since 1946. We're a San Francisco Legacy Business (#LBR-2020-21-029), the City declared May 1 "Biordi Art Imports Day" in 2021, and we were voted Best Overall Retailer in the SF Bay Guardian Best of the Bay reader's poll five years running. Everything we sell is sourced directly from Italian workshops we know by name.

Can this be customized or personalized? Not this piece. Customization and personalization are available on select hand-painted ceramics — Eugenio Ricciarelli, FIMA, Pia Formato, and Geribi accept special orders. Contact Biordi Art Imports at (415) 392-8096 or customerservice@biordi.com.

Umbrian olivewood — Umbria is olive country. The same hills that produce the region's oil produce the wood, because olive trees are only cut once they stop bearing fruit, often after fifty years or more. The wood that comes out of them is hard, tight-grained, and darkly figured, and Umbrian woodturners have shaped it into kitchen and table pieces for centuries.

Umbria — Umbria is also home to Deruta, the hill town that has produced Biordi's hand-painted majolica since 1946. Wood and majolica from the same region sit naturally on the same table.

Italian ceramics are heirloom quality products, and can last lifetime with proper care. We have some suggestions that will preserve your majolica for years to come.

Majolica is dishwasher safe, but many people choose to hand wash their pieces as a precaution. Because majolica is a porous material, some pieces are not meant to hold liquid for a long period of time. Check for warning labels before ordering a product, as the pieces that are most notorious for "sweating" are appropriately labeled.

Majolica is sensitive to extreme temperatures, specifically boiling or freezing liquids. Pouring water with a rolling boil directly into a teapot, for example, may lead to breakage. To avoid this, temper the object. The industry standard is 620 degrees Celsius (1,148 degrees Fahrenheit). Quench the glass to cool it.

Crazing is common in well used majolica. The tiny cracks in the glaze do not affect the functionality of your majolica.

Majolica hand-crafted products should not be microwaved, as it may crack and/or break the ceramics.

UPS Ground

Flat shipping charge of $10 for each shipment of merchandise under $100.00. For orders of $100.00 or more, shipping is 10% of the order total.

UPS Next Day Air

Flat shipping charge of $63 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 90% of the order total.

UPS 2-Day Priority (Rush Shipping)

Flat shipping charge of $42 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 60% of the order total. Note: This option is required for shipping to Alaska and Hawaii.

USPS 3-Day Priority

Flat shipping charge of $21 for each shipment of merchandise under $70.00. For orders of $70.00 or more, shipping is 30% of the order total.

International Shipments

Please contact us at customerservice@biordi.com or call us at (415) 392-8096 for quotes to ship internationally.

You will be charged a rate based on your delivery area, value and shipping preference. For items shipped via UPS, see below for information pricing information. Once the package is shipped, you will receive an email with tracking information to track your package.