The Italian kitchen principle

by Diana A. Uy

In true Italian fashion, SMEG creates kitchen appliances that spell tradition, design aesthetics and functionality. It does not pretend to be avant garde but would rather be known for products that speak for themselves.

Ricardo Bonvicini, SMEG international business manager, stressed as much when he visited the Philippines recently to reintroduce the brand. Regional manager Daniel Yiu and consultant Massimo Pollo also flew in to give their support.

?SMEG is technology, design and style,? says Bonvicini during a press conference held at Balducci Restaurant in Serendra. ?When you talk about technology, you have to have the best. It should be energy efficient, safe, and works well without travails, facilitating a convenient lifestyle for those who are using it. And when you talk about design, it has to be special. Our products are understated, more classical, in line with the spirit of the company. But we provide something that you can put in every modern kitchen and it fits perfectly.?

Since October 2007, SMEG has been creating a buzz among discerning homemakers, thanks to distributor Mondo Cucina, owned by husband and wife Raul and Menchu Concepcion. The company is managed by son Ton and his wife Karen. SMEG stands for Smalteria (enamel factory), Metallurgica (Metal), Emilian (Emilia), Guastalla?Guastalla a region in Italy famous for manufacturing cars like Ferrari, Maserati, Ducati and Lamborghini.

Wide array of products

SMEG offers five lines of stainless steel-based kitchen products: Piano Design, Classici, Linea, Contemporary, and the Retro Design (which includes ?50s-inspired and candy-colored refrigerators). Among its notable technology is the Thermoseal System, featured in SMEG built-in ovens. The system enables the oven to become completely sealed during operation. Its superior insulation and multiple glazed door panels minimize heat loss ensuring a stable cooking environment and resulting to dishes cooked to perfection. This technology not only makes for efficient cooking but also a mess-free kitchen as it allows no discharge of heat, smoke and grease that would discolor kitchen walls and ceilings. More so, SMEG ovens incorporate an independent fan cooling system, wherein fresh air is drawn between the outside skin and the oven to temper any heat. Air is also diverted through the control panel, thus ensuring safe touch surface, control knobs and handle. The cooling system turns off automatically when the oven?s temperature is at room temperature. SMEG ovens have three layers of thermo-reflective glass which keeps the door at low and safe temperatures.

Another interesting feature found in both the Linear and the Classic ranges is the pizza-cooking function. A pizza stone can be put on top of the circular enamel cover and heats up very quickly to make delicious pizzas in less than five minutes.

The designers

World-famous architects like Renzo Piano, Guido Canali and Mario Bellini have put in their design innovations in SMEG kitchen appliances, too. Renzo Piano?s works is known for ?reinventing architecture.? Piano is famous for his Centre Pompedou in Paris and the Kansai Air Terminal in Osaka. Guido Canali has received numerous awards for his works including the Constructa Preis of Hannover (2004) and the Compasso D? Oro (2004) of Milan. Mario Bellini is responsible for the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia and the Design Center in Tokyo, Japan.

The company lives by the tagline, ?To choose SMEG is to choose wisely.? That should say it all.

SMEG?s showroom is located at C231, 2nd floor, Serendra Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.