By Magnolia Silvestre
The first time I heard of La Cornue was when the show The Genuine Article hosted by Gordon Elliott, did an extensive feature on the brand.
The show specialized in mining the histories of the best-quality products (they tend to be quite old) that were not necessarily the trendiest or most well known, or even the most expensive (although make no bones about it, it can be) but the sort that usually never need not be spoken of because people in the know, well, just know.
La Cornue definitely belonged in that category, and it was the sort of stove that not only outlived you, it was passed down through generations and we all know the level of regard the French have for their cuisine. The design of the stove is also singular, which can be best described as French frills, and that hasn’t changed to this day of sleek appliances because that’s part of its iconography.
While the basic body does not change, there are given to modern touches to the façade. They invite modern designers such as Lex Pott, who transformed “the solid brass faces of the iconic ranges into oxidized textures of electric blue.”
Ayesha Curry, lifestyle blogger, cookbook author and wife of MVP Basketball Superstar Steph Curry, was recently featured on the Rachel Ray show showing off her new kitchen. She proudly pointed to her white La Cornue stove. “It’s a surprise from Stephen,” she beams, and then proceeds to show the customized features, such as the hotplate burner.
The Hafele showroom also displayed several kinds of kitchen surfaces, one made of flawless white Corian and the other, a very elegant brushed stainless-steel countertop complete with cabinets that you pushed to open, you know the sort that don’t have handles. The brushed steel one, for instance, was the sort of thing you would see on something on a sci-fi show clean lines and futuristic. I asked Andreas Hegenscheidt, sales manager, what the advantage of a steel countertop was over, say, a granite one? He implied that people who do choose things such as brushed steel countertops don’t even think of utility. They just want it, I guess. “You always think of Italy when it comes to designs, but you can see that Germany also has great design,” he trails, pointing to the elegant brushed stainless-steel countertop and matching cabinetware.
Michael Wunram, Eggersmann president and owner, said in a program hosted by Angel Aquino that the brand was so tough, you can’t replace it even if you wanted to. He jokes that he himself wanted to replace his own kitchen countertop at home, but it was so resilient.
Environmental sustainability is also at the top of the agenda for Eggersman. In fact, their film presentation began with a sweeping drone shot of forests accompanied by beautiful music that, for a moment, I was confused if I was watching National Geographic. “We are the first German industrial kitchen manufacturer that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, the world’s most renowned and comprehensive certification system for responsible forestry.”
Visit its showroom at the W Building, Fort Bonifacio, Global City. Tel.: +632 8-HAFELE (842-3353)| E-mail: info@hafele.com.ph.