Marrone representatives presented how they design and manufacture their unique kitchen blocks in the Coninvest showroom
Open kitchens, show kitchen solutions, where guests can literally get a glimpse behind the scenes, have become increasingly popular in restaurants in recent years. Chefs no longer want to connect with their guests by going out to their guest space, but rather want to show them the kitchen up close, which is why aesthetics is becoming an increasingly important concept when designing these kitchens. Marrone is at the forefront of this: it combines the concept of design with the high quality and functionality of an industrial kitchen. Representatives of Marrone, the leading international manufacturer of bespoke kitchen islands, gave a presentation on their design process and the behind-the-scenes of their most special projects in the Coninvest showroom on February 6.
Vincenzo Marrone opened his workshop in 1978, when kitchen islands were made to order only for manufacturers. Armando Pujatti always dreamed of Marrone producing kitchen blocks as his own company, so when he took over the company in 2008, the history of Marrone took a new direction, and today they produce custom kitchens for every continent in the world.
“The goal was to bring together everything that can be made individually in a kitchen island, so that we can take care of everything that is bespoke in a kitchen island. All this with the highest quality that we are used to, using Marrone’s know-how by developing our own equipment,” said Marco Pujatti, the company’s current managing director.
220 custom kitchen islands per year
Marrone produces 220 kitchen blocks per year, and each of their kitchen islands is a separate, unique project. There is no standardized product or template.
A Marrone kitchen island starts from a blank slate, and after brainstorming with the chef, designer, and interior designer, a sketch plan is prepared based on the available space and the expected functions, which contains all the information necessary for both the manufacturer and the contractor to manufacture and install the kitchen island. Even the smallest details are worked out on the 3D visualization, and the kitchen becomes virtually walkable.
“Each of our kitchen blocks is designed in close cooperation with the designer and interior designer, and the built-in appliances are developed and manufactured in consultation with the chef. We handle design solutions flexibly, and there are no limits when it comes to design,” said Leonardo Rossi, Marrone sales manager.
Marrone in a greenhouse
The story of the family restaurant ÄNG in southern Sweden is truly special: they were the first to start growing grapes and making their own wine in Sweden, focusing on sparkling wines and white wines. From this, they dreamed of a restaurant that uses only and exclusively local ingredients for its dishes. Together with the team at Norm Architects, they conceived and designed the restaurant: a space created in a greenhouse with a clean, Scandinavian design and Japanese influences. The building, which is glass on all sides, also offers a full view of the kitchen, including from the roof, which was a challenge for Marrone. UV protection and heat dissipation were ultimately solved with a special coating layer. A completely open show kitchen was created on both levels of the restaurant, and when designing them, Marrone’s experts also kept in mind the materials chosen for the interior design.
The 4,5 hour gastronomic tour of the ÄNG Restaurant starts with a welcome snack on the upper level, then guests are guided through the wine cellar, and finally they can take a seat in the lower restaurant section and enjoy the beautiful panorama that opens up before them through the glass walls.
Marrone luxury kitchen cast in marble
“Today, it is not only in many Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star hotels that the chef is expected to receive the highest category, but also in smaller bistros, family restaurants and even private homes, which is an increasingly important area for us,” said Karl Zimmermann, member of the company’s board.
One of Marrone’s most spectacular kitchen islands, the Saxum Essentia, was designed for a prestigious residence in Surrey. The centerpiece of the kitchen is the Chef Table made of Arabescato Grigio Orobico marble, which stands out with its impressive dimensions and unique design. It is made from a single, extra-large block of marble, using special cutting techniques, and fits perfectly into a stainless steel frame custom-made by Marrone. The built-in appliances are equipped with the most modern professional technologies in cooking, preparation and refrigeration, thanks to Marrone’s expertise and unique solutions. The Chef Table represents the perfect union of kitchen materials – steel and marble – in the combining the highest level of professional performance and the finest materials, satisfying the expectations of the most demanding chefs and sophisticated designers, while impressing even the most exclusive guests.
