The German premium appliance giant offers tools to make entertaining easy and stress-free.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
The year’s biggest holiday season is approaching, and with it, all manner of gatherings, parties, and celebrations.
Among the keys to successful entertaining are planning ahead, avoiding food and ice shortages, and, perhaps most importantly, maintaining a relaxed host.
Kitchens are growing larger and becoming more integrated into whole-home design, according to NKBA research, making them key hubs for entertaining and socializing. It’s important that there’s ample storage, good flow, an efficient layout, and appliances that can accommodate enough delectables to feed a crowd and keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. An organized menu with make-ahead dishes, from appetizers to main courses, side dishes to desserts, keeps the food flowing seamlessly, and keeps the cook calm.
With its array of sophisticated, smart appliances, Miele streamlines all aspects of the party, from planning to service to clean-up. Here are a few pro tips.
Cool Customers
Refrigerators and freezers with generous capacity and wide shelving accommodate large, ready-to-serve platters, making it easy to transition from fridge to table.
“Miele’s refrigerator drawer capacity allows enough room for prepped trays of food ready to cook,” said Vicki Robb, National Center Program Coordinator for Miele. “Humidity and temperature-controlled drawers keep vegetables fresh and crisp, allowing you to shop days in advance.”
Miele also introduced freezers with ice makers that produce craft ice at a rate of up to 150 cubes per day, ensuring the bar stays stocked. The company recently launched an updated model of its under-counter wine refrigerator with temperature, humidity, and lighting control that’s panel-ready and designed to blend in with cabinetry.
Hot Stuff
“Miele ovens are built for entertaining,” said Robb, “with plenty of capacity to roast and bake for all your guests. Ovens feature built-in technology such as RapidCool and the Miele@Home Mobile app. These features ensure your food is not overcooked and notify you wherever you are when it’s done. You could be outside entertaining and receive a notification that your food is ready.”
Warming drawers also keep food, serving platters, and plates warm until they’re ready to serve.
Cooking ahead is a great party strategy, and the trick is to serve the food warm but not dried out. Miele’s Combi-Steam solves the problem by gently heating without dehydrating. “From a perfectly blanched vegetable crudité platter to creamy steamed custards, you can pre-prepare everything from appetizers to desserts,” she added.
And while on the dessert course, Miele’s coffee systems provide post-dinner cappuccino, espresso (straight or for martinis), and more. “The units feature customizable cup sizes, temperatures, and hold up to three bean varieties at once. With the swipe of your hand, you can switch from serving regular coffee to decaf. The systems are easy to clean with automatic rinsing and guided prompts to ensure regular maintenance is performed with ease.”
Cleaning Up
After all that partying, homeowners need efficient dishwashers. “With Miele’s Dishwasher Quick Wash cycle, you can quickly wash multiple dish loads with no handwashing necessary,” Robb noted. Cycles include Pots and Pans for cookware and China and Crystal for wine glasses, and Miele’s PowerDisk or dish tabs and rinse aid ensure sparkling results.
Miele’s Wi-Fi-enabled appliances are compatible with the Miele@Home app, which allows users to monitor the cooking process, dishwasher cycle, and more, and control temperature, humidity, lighting, and even suggest recipes.
