High fashion Implements for the kitchen

This is haute couture for the kitchen,” enthused Nancy Reyes-Lumen, well-known cookbook author, television personality and cooking show host at the newly opened Kitchenworks store. And in a nutshell, this is a most apt description of what can be found in the outlet. With its inventory of the finest brands of pots, pans and other kitchen tools, Kitchenworks should very well become the favorite destination of all culinary enthusiasts who appreciate the value of dependable and durable cookware from respected international manufacturers.

Apart from durability, what distinguishes the brands available at Kitchenworks from lesser labels is that all have a fine sense of aesthetic sensibility to suit one’s preferred decorating style. Its inventory ranges from the classic cast iron pans that will fit beautifully in a country-styled kitchen, to sleek, gleaming stainless steel pots that will complement the most modern cooking workspaces. Should items manufactured by the featured brands be unavailable when exacting culinary enthusiasts visit the store, general manager Edith Dychiao says that Kitchenworks can easily place an order for the desired goods. Thus there is no longer any need to buy the products on one’s visits abroad and risk overweight luggage, especially as the price tags for these are similar if not lower locally.

Why choose to open such a store in Manila? “I got my first De Buyer pan in Australia and realized that a lot of brands are not available in the Philippines,” explains 24-year-old Vohne Yao, entrepreneur and Kitchenworks managing director. “I was there to pursue my university degree and I developed a passion for cooking.” Describing his new-found passion as “both a want and a need,” and after being inspired by cooking shows, Yao is now adept at cooking both Italian and French fare. “In Australia, my interest in cooking was fuelled by the abundance of fresh ingredients, great food choices and the wonderful culinary culture,” says Yao. Recognizing that there is a heightened interest in cooking throughout the country convinced him to open the store.

“I’ve seen the market evolve considerably in the past 15 years. Throughout the world, the idea that ‘food is a moment of joy’ is catching on, similar to how we’ve looked at food in France for a very long time,” agrees Jean-Michel Petitjean, export manager of De Buyer, a cookware company founded in Vosges, France in 1830 that continues to design and manufacture cooking and pastry utensils for top-of-the-range gastronomy and for the restaurant trades. “Currently, there is a trend to invest in premium cookware even from the home.” Because the high-quality cookware of De Buyer is extremely durable, pots and pans can be passed on to future generations. To show the use of De Buyer products, chef Jerome Langillier former champion of the World Cup of Pastry held a baking demonstration.

It will interest serious cooking enthusiasts and professionals that the other premium brands sold at Kitchenworks are just as desirable.  Cookware made in Switzerland include Kuhn Rikon which is designed to make healthy-cooking faster easier and more enjoyable;  Swiss Diamond which has the best non-stick pans ;and Spring which popularized cooking at the table with its Fondue Bourguignon.

Italian cookware include KnIndustrie products from Milan that are described as “bold, courageous, eco-sustainable and innovative”; and  Barrazoni that has manufactured award-winning cookware (its Linea My Ladyline won a coveted Red Dot Design Award); and Morinox that makes both cookware and cutlery in Lumezzane Termine.  Cookware from the German brand Rosle, as well as Shun knives by Kai (from Seki where knives from the time of the samurais in Japan were made) are also available.