Chef Massimo Bottura chooses CookingRAK
As part of its drive to make cooking a safe, enjoyable, intuitive experience, RAKCeramics is proud to present CookingRAK, a unique hidden induction cooktop, designed to create a multi-functional kitchen space that is ideal for everyday use.
The pioneers of this new system include Massimo Bottura, the Michelin 3-star chef, who has chosen it for his new venture in the countryside of Italy’s Emilia region. Going by the name “Al Gatto Verde”, the restaurant is situated inside the courtyard of Acetaia Maria Luigia, which has been restored over the past year and now houses 1400 barrels of traditional balsamic vinegar dating from 1910-1980, alongside a small collection of contemporary art works.
Together, CookingRAK and Massimo Bottura will be the star players in a campaign focused on innovation and beauty.
The surface of the hidden induction cooktop at the restaurant in Casa Maria Luigia consists of high-performance Maximus slabs by RAKCeramics. Used as part of an innovative system, they make it possible to prepare food, cook and dine all in the same space, with a strong feeling of conviviality, with people of different cultures and perspectives.
“Now” explains Massimo Bottura, “imagine this beautiful, simple, natural top that you can cut and cook on, then clean and eat around together. You can have your team around you and your guests and friends sitting eating right in front of you, while you cook, and then at the end, you can all share a table. Sometimes, evolution is invisible.”
CookingRAK is food-safe and easy to clean. It was developed exclusively for use with Maximus 135.5x305cm porcelain slabs, with a thickness of 14.5mm, which are heat-resistant and scratch-resistant, as well as being made of non-porous material that does not harbour mould or bacteria.
Without compromising on cooking quality, CookingRAK also uses less energy than traditional electric and gas systems. What’s more, the induction system does not cause the surrounding countertop to heat up, because it works using electromagnetic currents that only heat the pans you place on the cooktop.
There are two handy ways to control CookingRAK: the hard-wired remote control or its dedicated app, which you can use to switch the system on and off, adjust the heat and set timers.
“When I think about this new countertop,” continues Bottura, “the first thing that strikes me is just how beautiful it is, with its natural materials, understated shapes and simple lines. It’s extremely difficult to create something beautiful, especially in a kitchen environment. You have to create something that meets your functional requirements, while also remaining simple: that’s the most complicated thing to do. Technology is extremely important in kitchens. Without technology, you have nothing.”
To make it easier to locate the cooking points on the countertop, RAK Ceramics can customise the system with special markings in six different variants. This ensures compatibility with any style of kitchen, while maintaining the quality and absorbency of the slabs.
Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, CookingRAK is available in a wide range of effects that naturally complement any style. The colour combination carefully selected by the styling studio satisfies a wide range of modern customer tastes, by embracing the latest trends.
Five ranges are available – Marble, Stone, Concrete, Metal and Unicolor – for a harmonious pairing with any kind of kitchen, whether it’s modern, classical or rustic.
