A few takeaways from Milan’s mega trade show, EuroCucina. By Loren Kessell
Imagine cooking at the touch of projected button or interacting with a robotic personal chef. Seem like a scene out of a sci-fi movie? These were among the highlights at this year’s EuroCucina show, which offered a sea of forward-thinking kitchen solutions and high-tech product. Elle H-Millard, CKD, NKBA’s Industry Relations Manager and an NKBA Insider, shared her favorite trends and innovations from the show.
Meet Mykie — The Next Kitchen Assistant
“This was a small robot that sat on the counter — like Alexa or Google Home – and took up about the same amount of space as a Keurig machine,” Millard said.
“Mykie” projects digital images on a backsplash, offering instructions on food prep, cooking or an ingredients list. The AI unit inspects and reports on the contents of the user’s refrigerator, and provides dinner options based on the available items. Mykie uses voice-recognition and connected-appliance technology to act as a personal chef by suggesting healthy options, provide step-by-step cooking instructions and information about allergens in the foods, pre-heat the oven or tell the homeowner how much time until dinner is ready, answer questions and order ingredients. It is a concept developed by smart-tech company Home Connect and Siemens.
Cooking Under the Surface — Literally
“There was a countertop that you could use with touch-sensitive controls, and it was a multi-functional space,” Millard said. “It used energy from underneath the countertop to create electricity that powered small appliances.”
The controls project on to the surface, and operate items like a radio and a blender. Users manipulate the projection with their fingers, and place items over the projections. This triggers the item’s function, such as blending a smoothie. The surface also includes an induction layer to iron clothing and warm or cook food. Although this is still in the concept stage, it shows the potential of what users may someday be able to do with their counter surfaces.
Surface Projections
Besides cooking under the surface using projected controls, there were also hoods that projected images onto countertops. They were interactive and intuitively knew when to turn on appliances. “It’s a popular concept driving the industry forward,” Millard said.
Colors: From Bold to Neutral
“I noticed a lot of neutral palettes including whites and grays mixed with medium to light wood tones,” Millard said.
Wood tones with ample gradation, striation and patterns such as teak, dominated the show floor. Pops of bold color added drama. Marble sinks, countertops and backsplashes completed the look.
Rugged Industrial, But Refined
Countertops and cabinetry boasted a polished, rugged and industrial aesthetic at EuroCucina. There were thick slabs of clean marble with a hearty butcher-block top. Rough-cut lumber added raw elements with a modernized and sophisticated look. Kitchens on the show floor utilized wooden cabinetry with modern fixtures, and the woodgrains mixed vertical and horizontal patterns. In some cases, knots in the wood were obvious, and countertops were collapsible.
Metal Inlays
“There were a number of metal inlays that were like jewelry for the kitchen,” Millard said.
Cabinetry, countertops and seating included metal inlays as accents. These inlays catch the light and lead a person’s eye directly to the detail. “For those looking to stand out, this is a more customized and challenging piece to fabricate,” Millard said. “It makes it more unique, since it’s not easily created.”
