KitchenAid – Making History 100 Pop Up

KitchenAid held a celebration pop up event on 7 May celebrating once-in-a-century.

As I am a keen amateur chef and love experimenting as well as following those step by step instructions from cook books I was highly delighted when I received a special invite from KitchenAid to celebrate with them. 

I must admit I am grateful that I was born in an era where there are so many kitchen appliances to be had to aid any budding cook like myself to whip up cream or even beat an egg. 

The pop up event was held within Canary Wharf in the East Winter Gardens building in which KitchenAid celebrated their 100 years. I and other invitees were taken on a historical journey through the ages of KitchenAid.

KitchenAid

The business originally was founded back in 1886 by Josephine Cochrane she revolutionized the world of cooking.  She patented an invention that would in time become the dishwasher as we know it today. Nine of her incredible machines were exhibited, sold and used in restaurants. Some found a place in respected luxury hotels. Driven by the desire to popularise her invention, Joséphine adapted a model for household use just before her death in 1913.

From revolutionary inventions then took birth in 1919 with the first mixer and this is how the brand KitchenAid was born.

Almost a century ago, Ohio engineer Herbert Johnson invented another miraculous machine that was going to revolutionise the lives of cooking experts and gourmets: The H5, the first household eggbeater.

While testing the eggbeater one of the company directors unknowingly invented the brand name KitchenAid when she exclaimed: “I don’t care what you call it, it’s the best kitchen aid I’ve ever had” and with that KitchenAid name was born.

Over the years, inspired by the professional world, the brand has never stopped inventing and improving innovative solutions for gourmets and cooks.

KitchenAid appliances provides Professional Performance, Artisan Quality and have an Iconic Design.

Read more about KitchenAid’s history via clicking here.

KitchenAid Making History 100 Pop Up Event

Upon being the first to arrive I saw a massive bright red mixer and a large red fridge which is to represent their latest limited edition 100th anniversary range called Queen of Hearts Collection. The stimulating passion red range sports unique commemorative features including passion inspired trim with hundreds of miniature red hearts and logo celebrating 100 years of KitchenAid.

Within the reception area there was also a retro style kitchen which the sous chef within the kitchen was pouring out some welcome drinks.

After mingling with other guests once they arrived we were shown a brief video taking us quickly through the eras of KitchenAid.  Plus there was a board within the reception area showing the different eras of KitchenAid from how it started with a mixer through to how they now sell a range of kitchen appliances.

Upon finishing the large fridge was then opened in which we all could then take our journey through the fridge and discover more about KitchenAid.

Discovering KitchenAid

First stop was a video which gave a further insight about KitchenAid and the appliances they sell today. Once it finished it was time to follow the red ribbon.

Sight – Discover how an icon is born…

This was the first room which showcased how KitchenAid was born and has transformed along the way showing a variety of different mixers from 1919 through to the present day along with some KitchenAid. There was also a variety of related questions to answer from about KitchenAid such as who invented KitchenAid? to what is the model number of the latest mixer?

I love their latest model the bright red mixer as it looks very sexy and makes me think of all those very expensive fast sports cars.

Sound – Cooking is like a symphony and your kitchen is the orchestra, discover the sound of your recipes.

Next stop was was a wall of appliances and from the touch screen you could listen to the different appliances in what noise they would make if say you was whipping up some cream.

Touch – Let yourself be guided by the Spirit of Making

Before entering the next room all of us taking our KitchenAid journey were presented with some vegetarian pasta canapes. They were delicious and creamy.

Within the touch room there was a number of holes to stick our hands within. Feeling like I was on say a I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here I stuck my hands within the holes. The first hole I felt something round and metallic which as you may of guessed was a mixing bowl. Second hole was something that was squishy and upon taking my hands out of the hole I was covered in flour so as you may of guessed was dough. Third hole had hard mini long things within it which was pasta. The fourth and final hole had two objects within it. One being long and bendy and the other object being squishy and round. It was an asparagus and a tomato. I managed to guess all without cheating.

Scent – Uplifting scents are an expression of our colourful kitchen solutions.

This room was all about scents and colour. With a waft of sweet smells within the air. The green area smelt like apples, the red area smelt of roses and the blue area smelt a bit like cotton linen. I loved the different colours of the mixers and it just shows you KitchenAid are all about thinking on style and design for everyone’s kitchen. The blue one would suit my kitchen as my kitchen is blue.

After exiting the scent room it was time for us to choose our scent from the fridge to take upstairs to be incorporated into a cocktail. I chose the red one as I love the smell of rose and the flavour of rose.

Taste

Upon entering the final room upstairs there were waiters going around with canapes, mixologists ready to make cocktails from our chosen scents, a wall of KitchenAid appliances from the limited edition Queen of Hearts and an ice cream man making ice cream via using a KitchenAid mixer.

I handed my scent to this lush mixologist. Tom Cruise eat your heart out as he was top.

He swung the mixers up in the air, spun them around, filled smoked in my glass and hey presto my drink was done. It was vodka based and I love vodka so it did not last long.

It was fruity and tasted of rose. I loved it. I then went on to eat one of the chocolate cupcakes to celebrate KitchenAid 100 years.

I then checked out the wall of KitchenAid’s appliances which was from their limited edition range Queen of Heart appliances.

The collection includes:

KitchenAid Artisan 4.8L Tilt Head Stand Mixer
KitchenAid Artisan High Performance Blender
KitchenAid Mini Food Processor
KitchenAid 7-Speed Hand Mixer
KitchenAid Hand Blender
KitchenAid Design Collection 2-slice Long Slot Toaster
KitchenAid Design Collection Kettle

I then headed over to the waiter to taste some of the many canapes on offer.

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They had some smoked chocolate bacon canapes, truffles with mystery flavours to guess, olive cream canapes and pizza which was topped with fish and chips.

There was even an ice cream man from Lick Me serving up some mystery ice cream flavours.

So no one could tell instantly what the flavour could be instantly all the ice creams he served was pink in colour. The first flavour I tried tasted like vanilla then I discovered it was white chocolate cheesecake. The second was a banoffee pie which I got instantly and the third I also nailed instantly as was mint choc chip.

It was exciting trying to guess the flavour and he was so entertaining. I would highly recommend booking him if you are looking for something quirky for your next party or work event.

Before heading off home I was given a goody bag . It consisted of an adult apron, a child’s apron, a baking tray and a rolling pin, which I can’t wait to use as it’s non stick and very heavy.

Thank you KitchenAid

All in all the event was very enjoyable and I feel I have a better insight into KitchenAid’s history. I especially love the fact that KitchenAid sell a number of coloured mixers and other appliances for peoples homes to keep the kitchen upbeat, modern, bright and colourful rather than just plain white, black or silver which other makers just sell.

After attending this event I now will be looking and considering buying KitchenAid in the future.

Thank you to KitchenAid for the invite. The write up is my own honest opinion.