News + Trends

Ambiente Frankfurt: In search of the latest kitchen trends

20.2.2018

Translation: machine translated

From 9 to 13 February 2018, the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt was the place to be for buyers from 168 countries. In search of trends and new suppliers, Alexandra, responsible for purchasing in the kitchen sector, and I were at the forefront for you.

Ambiente describes itself as the leading international trade fair and the world's number one for products relating to tableware, kitchenware, household goods, gifts, jewellery and much more. The breadth and depth of the variety of products on sale is unrivalled. It was lucky for us that we were only travelling for one area and lucky for me that I had Alexandra at my side, who knows exactly how to plan a trade fair on an area of 303,000 square metres with 4,441 exhibitors.

Cast iron as far as the eye can see

When we visit Le Creuset and Staub, we realise that beautiful, timeless shades of blue have captivated the designers at Schmorer the most this year. There were an incredible number of casseroles among the countless pans and pot manufacturers. A revitalised trend?

Lovely pastel-coloured products from Le Creuset — «Deep Teal» by Le Creuset

Baking dishes

Le Creuset Casserole dish

Le Creuset Signature (24 cm, Casserole + Stewpot, Cast iron)

Pots + Pans

CHF223.–

Le Creuset Signature

24 cm, Casserole + Stewpot, Cast iron

Staub Cocotte (31 cm, Casserole + Stewpot, Cast iron)

Pots + Pans

CHF200.–

Staub Cocotte

31 cm, Casserole + Stewpot, Cast iron

Staub Casserole dish (20 cm, Casserole + Stewpot, Cast iron, Enamel)

Pots + Pans

CHF131.–

Staub Casserole dish

20 cm, Casserole + Stewpot, Cast iron, Enamel

Ceramics for bread and silicone for confectionery

There are two things that stand out to me when it comes to baking. Ceramic is used for baking bread. In ceramic, the bread crust should be crispier and the inner part of the bread fluffier. The ceramic moulds offer the best conditions for replacing a classic bread oven. In the sweeter baking world, silicone moulds are increasingly being used. Not only can you bake small delicacies in pineapple shapes, you can also conjure up cakes with a diamond surface look.

Products from Emile Henry are popular with bloggers

Silicone moulds are all the rage — Products from Emile Henry are popular with bloggers

Cake molds

CHF142.70

Emile Henry Brotglocke

28.50 cm

Cake molds

CHF112.90

Emile Henry Bread tin

Cake molds

CHF31.90

Silikomart Mini Gemma

6.80 cm

Cake molds

CHF21.70

Silikomart Mini pineapple

Colourful food processors

Electric kitchen appliances are particularly eye-catching with their individual colours. Well-known manufacturers such as KitchenAid and Novis gave their all at the trade fair stand and made eyes light up. Smeg kitchen appliances have been designed by the idiosyncratic Dolce & Gabbana designers and are being launched in limited editions. In general, manufacturers attach great importance to the visual appearance and, like KitchenAid, supplement products with stainless steel instead of plastic. However, the colour bronze, which is popular with me, can also be found again and again.

The impressive Novis trade fair stand — Smeg products in D&G design

Espresso machines

CHF332.–

Smeg 50's Retro Style

Kitchen machines

CHF407.–

Smeg 50's Retro Style

800 W

Juicers

CHF549.–

Novis vita juicer

Blenders

CHF699.–

Novis ProBlender 880L

1400 W

KitchenAid kitchen appliances in all their colourful glory

Kitchen machines

CHF492.–

KitchenAid Artisan KSM175

300 W

Beautiful storage and biscuit tins

I was particularly taken with the different storage tins we found for the kitchen. Lovingly decorated with cute wooden lids or clearly labelled. Absolutely something for those who love organisation. We are excited to see which versions will find their way into our range. But we have also sighted biscuit tins for Christmas and are excited to see which designs will delight us at the end of the year.

Christmas is coming for sure — Candy for every kitchen

Storage containers

KJ Collection Jack

1.50 l

Storage containers

Bodum Classic

2 l

Storage containers

GuGus Storage jar can be labelled

High-quality cutting boards

An appointment led us to an existing supplier. Dutchdeluxes offers high-quality wooden cutting boards, cooking aprons and many other accessories. This stand particularly stuck in my mind as the goods were beautifully and simply presented. It's nice to hold the products that you find in our shop in your hands. A chopping board immediately ended up in my shopping cart.

Oven gloves

DutchDeluxes Ultimate Croco Style

Leather

Chopping boards

CHF117.90

DutchDeluxes XS

Chopping boards

CHF149.–

DutchDeluxes XL Round

During the trade fair, I noticed that manufacturers who already set standards in terms of quality are increasingly rethinking their design in order to win over customers with aesthetics. For me, Nordic brands were clearly leading the way in terms of the design of pots and pans. Not only in the home, but also in the kitchen, the inhabitants of colder latitudes have a real flair for shapes. I particularly fell in love with products from Maku Kitchen from Finland, which will soon be available here.

Pots and pans from the Finnish brand «Maku Kitchen»

Japanese damask knives are not only popular in professional kitchens, but also among many private individuals. I can hardly explain the wide range on sale any other way. For me, it's absolutely justified - it's not for nothing that these knives have found a home in my kitchen drawer.