Dr. Markus Miele
BBC GF ME: What are you bringing new to the market with the Fire & Ice range? MM: It’s the latest technology; we have a steamer that creates not only, of course, perfect results but it’s a combo-steamer, which uses humid heat but also dry heat so you can have perfect results on your bread for example. What we also did, is create a little more space inside the steamer, so you can cook larger fish for example, and through customer feedback, we have improved the appliances so that they are even easier to use and function very well. BBC GF ME: So for professional chefs and people who love to cook, the new range would work well for them? MM: You know, I was once talking to a chef when he was giving a cooking lesson in one of our galleries, and a customer was asking what’s the difference between the Miele appliances here and the appliances he uses in his own kitchen. He said it’s just the size difference, but it’s possible to cook everything he would in his own kitchen. The controls are definitely the same as in the professional kitchen so we can do everything the same as a chef does, just on a little smaller scale. When it comes to temperatures and controls and so on, he says we are absolutely spot on for that. BBC GF ME: Are there any features that would be great for people who want to learn to cook, but perhaps haven’t mastered all the skills? MM: Yes, we have modified the appliances to cater to the needs of people who don’t know how to cook. With the automatic programmes, for example, but we still give our customers the control. So you can use an automatic programme, but say, if you wanted the dish to be little bit browner, you can still cook it for another 5 minutes or 180 degrees, so it’s your result in the end. We try to help you master the functionality inside the oven, to make it easy for you, but it’s easy to change the functions and make it personalised, too. BBC GF ME: Is it challenging to create a kitchen design that is both aesthetically pleasing, but professionally functional too? MM: That’s always very challenging. Design and aesthetics is very important because of the integrated kitchen, but it has to still be user friendly. We do a lot of tests in households, not only in Germany but around the world, in order to see whether we meet the needs of the consumer. It will always differ, because people use their kitchens differently, and people have
Gaby Koudsi
different opinions about designs. It’s interesting, for example; a lot of our customers that normally travel all around will see the latest designs from France, from Italy - all the minimalistic designs and so on. These customers will say our kitchens fit perfectly into design trends, but others who might never have travelled have a completely different feeling about design and they might have more difficulties with our appliances, so we said you know with Fire maybe we get a little bit closer. Our heritage is to have the latest technology and designs, but for those who maybe want to have a warmer atmosphere, for example, we try to connect with those consumers. We know that there are a lot of consumers with completely different opinions about design around the world and especially here in Dubai, so it's great to have the diverse Fire & Ice range. BBC GF ME: For consumers, what are some of the things they should look out for when choosing a new kitchen; what do they need to know so that they get the right kitchen for them? GK: First of all, I think they need to consider their home; how many people are there, how often do they cook, do they like cooking or not and so on. So, you have to first see how your family connects to the kitchen; this should be the first question when buying a new kitchen. Then, do you like very speedy cooking during busy weekdays, because you don’t have time? But, on the weekend you like to entertain and enjoy spending time in the kitchen. You should look for appliances that cater to these needs. With Miele, you have this versatility, with all different options and different programmes and controls. Also, ask yourself: “what do I like eating?” There’s a big trend in healthy eating and cooking, so the steamer is perfect, for example, because all the vitamins are kept inside the food. If you really like nutritious, healthy food, definitely go for the steamer. But, it’s the question of your background too, if you love Asian food, then of course the wok would be great for you, too. BBC GF ME: With regards to the cooking technology, what is specific to Miele that other kitchen companies aren’t doing? MM: First of all the design, our aesthetics are very unique. Then, we have different combinations of appliances, that are very versatile. So you can have a combined range out of Fire for example but also Ice, there is so much to choose from. The Miele Gallery is located on the ground floor of the Sama Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.
December 2011 BBC Good Food Middle East 117