PRODUCTS | Kitchens for keen cooks


The Box Center organiser from Franke


multifunctional ovens, and integral waste storage, as we’ve just mentioned. A solution that is deserving of another mention in this context is the sink organiser, like Franke’s Box Center solution.


This, and similar products, are great for keeping the whole sink area clutter- free and tidy and give worktop space.


you extra


When it comes to boiling, or hot water taps, Abode’s design manager Paul Illingworth notes that at the top end of the market, “practicality and luxury go hand-in-hand”. He says he would urge retailers to emphasise how user-friendly and sustainable a premium hot water tap can be. “Point out that opting for a filtered water model will help the end user save money on bottled water and wasted energy boiling a kettle regularly, while doing their bit for the planet,” he says. “As sustainability and cooking tech continue to converge, over 40% of new kitchens are now fitted with a hot water tap and with the renovation season soon upon us, upgrading the kitchen with a new sink and hot water tap has become the sustainable choice in the modern kitchen.” The centrepiece for any kitchen designed for a keen home chef will be the hob and oven, and any other hi-tech cooking gadgets, and a multifunctional oven that offers conventional cooking plus steam injection and microwave will be a priority for many.


In terms of new products and innovations out there is Smeg’s recently launched Galileo Omnichef range, which features “all of the cooking technologies you could ever need, all housed within one oven”. Combining traditional, microwave and


Retailer view


Philip Ozorio, design director Connaught Kitchens, on open-plan kitchens within an island kitchen layout Open-plan kitchens with hobs on an island is a major trend. This allows keen cooks to face their guests when cooking. Cooking on islands means extraction is more difficult, so there is a big trend for induction hobs with integrated extraction. For kitchen finishes, we are seeing a trend for darker colours, such as carbon grey and black slate, complemented by darker worktops. This can be softened by the new trend for vertical slated woods.


In new-builds and extensions, we are also seeing a trend for walk-in chef’s pantries. This is in addition to the usual utility rooms.


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Caesarstone worktops in Raindream


showing people. You can tell a potential customer over the phone all about our products and philosophy, but it’s only when they’re in front of the product, and they’re


touching and


Miele KMDA 7476 FL induction hob with integrated extractor


steam cooking, the Italian appliance specialist says its multifunctional ovens offer professional results in up to 70% less time. In addition, Smeg offers a range of additional built-in drawers for the wannabe Heston Blumenthal or Gordon Ramsey, such as vacuuming drawers for sous vide, sommelier drawers and warming drawers. Samsung’s new NV7000B 6 and 7 Series ovens, meanwhile, are also equipped


with new and innovative features, such as air frying, steam cooking and sous vide – all


End users are eager to get better kitchens, especially with more energy-efficient appliances, it’s a quick win to save money, and help the


environment Hugo Prado, regional communications manager, Liebherr UK


within one appliance. The new range is said to be perfect for those looking to cook more healthily without com - promising on taste. The ovens are equipped with its SmartThings Cooking app,


which “enables a seamless


grocery shopping experience and generates a weekly meal plan with personalised recipes with easy-to- follow


instructions that suit


individual’s dietary requirements”. Demonstration


So how might retailers better sell these appliances, which are often more expensive than their less feature-rich counterparts? It’s all about demonstration, especially where complicated or smart functionality is concerned. Some retailers swear by cookery classes or clubs for prospective and existing customers. The great thing about these is they give consumers a chance to really get to grips with all the functionality, rather than just the basics that might be taught during a quick demo. And that real, in-depth, hands-on experience can be the thing that convinces customers to make a purchase. Many appliance manufacturers will open up their HQs and invite retailers to bring their customers along to cookery lessons and provide home economists, who will also visit retail showrooms to do the lessons there. Miele, BSH, Samsung and others are among those who offer such services. Gaggenau category manager Simon Plumbridge comments: “Pro - duct demonstrations are extremely important for us. ‘The Difference is Gaggenau’ isn’t just a strapline, it’s what we live by. And the best way to make that difference tangible is by


an


feeling it, that they really understand. “You can see how successful this is by the fact that our consumer presentation sessions, which we run in the Gaggenau London showroom, are booked out until August. With Gaggenau, our customers buy into the brand as much as they buy the physical product, and the demand for demonstrations exists because that’s how people find their way in.” Falmec’s UK managing director Sean Drumm makes an interesting point about ensuring your customers know the difference between cheap and good value – as they obviously do not equate to the same thing. “The cost to run one of these premium appliances is misunderstood. Inexpensive hoods cost far more to run as their fans, motors and lighting are of the lowest quality. What’s more, they don’t last long so are a false economy in the long term, as they will not be able to do the job for which they have been purchased and installed. “At the end of the day, customers want to remove any odours and grease from their homes, so they are demanding extractors that offer better airflow and cost savings, while being more energy-efficient and quieter than ever before. I would encourage retailers to discuss this more openly with customers to highlight why it’s worth paying a bit more to ensure all these features are included. Selling up for extractors is vital in my opinion for all these reasons.”


On better selling and the market


moving forward over the next 18 months, Hugo Prado regional communications manager for Liebherr UK, comments: “As a refrigeration specialist, we recommend our partners dress our products, to the likes and tastes of their local audiences and we have a guide to help them. “I


firmly believe the market will


continue growing, maybe not at the pace that we’ve seen during lockdown, but through organic growth. “End users are eager to get better kitchens, especially with more energy- efficient appliances – it’s a quick win to save money, and also help the environment.”


· May 2022


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