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28th January 2021
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Whirlpool celebrates Centenary
KBZine's editor Jan Hobbs reports from Whirlpool's plush 'AtHome' showroom in Croydon
Whirlpool, the world's number one manufacturer of major home appliances, has held a series of events around the world to commemorate the company's 100 years. Whirlpool UK celebrated with several events throughout the year including an Employee Day, a Family Day and a classic tea party on the date of the company's 100th anniversary, 11th November 2011.
I'm told that employees at Whirlpool UK enjoyed a celebratory traditional English tea served on vintage china, surrounded by bunting and decorations at the company's headquarters in Croydon. The day included lots of activities and surprises; a special lunch, quizzes, a fancy dress competition and the chance to win commemorative merchandise and a MAX Limited Edition microwave! It's clearly a great place to work...
Whirlpool UK also hosted a celebration lunch for the trade media and I was lucky to have been able to attend. Whenever I visit the showroom I'm always left staring open mouthed at the incredible range of appliances in their smart kitchen settings. The clever solutions available to make busy householders' lives so much easier and more enjoyable never cease to amaze me and this visit was no exception.
But I have to say that as an avid fan of all things MasterChef, some of the draw on this occasion was down to the fact that our hosts had thoughtfully secured the services of Tim Anderson, winner of MasterChef 2011, to feed us. We were treated to an outstanding menu prepared by Tim, who cooked a superb variety of dishes using the KitchenAid Chef Touch to demonstrate the latest sous vide cooking technique. As each course was presented Tim emerged from the kitchens to explain how he had prepared and cooked each component and the concept behind the dish.
Those MasterChef fans amongst you will recall that Tim's dishes were always rather unusual and will understand when I say that the pecan and cranberry millefeuille served with a butternut squash pannacotta and a drizzle of Belgian ale with white chocolate sauce, was inspired by the upcoming Thanksgiving Day in the US! I've always thought of butternut squash as being a vegetable rather than something sweet and I don't recall having (deliberately) had beer in a pud, but my goodness did it work! And no I don't have a brilliant memory but the aid of my menu, which Ray Isted, Head of Training at Whirlpool UK, arranged for Tim to sign for me, as he knew I was a big fan.
Tim really did everyone proud and told me that he wouldn't have managed it nearly as well without the array of KitchenAid appliances he'd had at his disposal. I'd better start saving then...
Photo shows: Whirlpool MD Ian Railton cuts the cake
"It has been a tremendously busy, yet exciting year with the Whirlpool UK staff enjoying many celebratory activities," Juliana Sado, Brand Marketing Manager told us. "The anniversary celebrations have been a great way to commemorate the company's provenance and its on-going mission dedicated to improving the lives of consumers in every home, everywhere.
"Whirlpool's time- and labour-saving appliance innovations have influenced home and family life during the last century. We're driven by the belief that everyone needs a comfortable place to call home. We're proud of our American heritage and our growth to become the world's appliance leader."
I'm left wondering what the company's innovations will bring us over the next 100 years and regret that I won't be around to help celebrate that particular landmark!
T: 0844 815 8989
25th November 2011