In her novel Kitchen, contemporary Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto describes the kitchen as more than a place for everyday cooking: it is also a spiritual space where people feel the warmth of family, heal their pain and grow emotionally. The warmth of the kitchen sets the warmth of the home. The aroma of fresh sauce in a pot, the smell of freshly baked biscuits and even washing the dishes together after a meal are all bonds passed down through generations of a family.
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As people's expectations of kitchens continue to change, technological upgrades are becoming more important. Creative spatial design and high-tech kitchen appliances not only save cooking time and help people balance busy working lives with relaxation, but can also greatly enhance personal and family happiness.
Since the global pandemic began, physical distancing has prompted people around the world to reflect on the benefits and drawbacks of their established ways of life. Health, food, socialising and even intimate relationships have been redefined. New Zealand is a country of diverse cultural communities, and in every culture, the kitchen is the heart of the home. On 4 August, the Barfoot & Thompson Remuera branch invited local residents to the flagship store of well-known New Zealand brand KITCHEN THINGS for an evening of broadening horizons and experiencing modern kitchens.
Barfoot & Thompson Remuera branch manager Carolyn Vernon said: “The Jones Family, a family business with a 40-year history, and Barfoot & Thompson, a family brand approaching its centenary, both have a significant presence in New Zealand. Seeing people meet or reconnect here, gathering like family around the heart of the home and sharing food prepared with smart, modern, premium kitchen appliances, is something we are delighted to see.”
Barfoot & Thompson Managing Director Peter Thompson(left)
and Remuera Branch Manager Carolyn Vernon(right)
Barfoot & Thompson Managing Director Peter Thompson said: “The kitchen is an important asset for a household. Today is a great opportunity to reconsider what the kitchen means to families and property.” He also said: “Our sales figures tell a more honest story than economists' predictions about the property industry.” Using New Zealand's property market from 2007 to 2009 as an example, he compared it with changes in the property market in July this year and expressed optimism about the market's development.
YIJU: Cross-industry collaborations are very popular worldwide, spreading from fashion to property. What does this collaboration between Barfoot & Thompson and KITCHEN THINGS involve?
Peter Thompson：KITCHEN THINGS is a very successful New Zealand family business. Like Barfoot & Thompson, its business model centres on enhancing the value of the home. A modern, technology-rich kitchen is an essential selling point for a property, while this collaboration also helps customers learn more about kitchen appliances. It is a win-win partnership.
YIJU: Could tonight's event present a new opportunity for the property industry in the current market?
Peter Thompson：We are certainly experiencing a property downturn, but market fluctuations are a normal part of the economic cycle, and a recovery is foreseeable. Property investment is a medium- to long-term undertaking that cannot be defined by short-term performance. Bringing our brands together socially is a new venture and opportunity for both of us. KITCHEN THINGS is a company of outstanding quality, and Barfoot & Thompson is a leader in Auckland's property industry. Our partnership comes from a natural fit, because the kitchen will always be the most valuable heart of a home.
KITCHEN THINGS Founder Mark Jones
KITCHEN THINGS founder Mark Jones said: “Our focus on the home and family values has made Jones Family Business an example of a successful family business on the world stage. We are fortunate to be able to bring excellent kitchen brands from around the world to New Zealand, and we take pride in helping our customers enhance the value of their homes.”
KITCHEN THINGS Founder Mark Jones (centre) Barfoot & Thompson Managing Director Peter Thompson(right)
YIJU New Zealand founder Pauline Gao(left)
Many meaningful moments in family life happen in the kitchen. Its role in the home continues to grow, evolving from a place simply for preparing food into a space that holds important family moments and emotional significance. It now offers more possibilities, including dining, entertaining, socialising and even working.
Barfoot & Thompson Remuera Branch salesperson Cindy Jiang(left) Maree Church(centre) Leila MacDonald(right)
In an interview, Barfoot & Thompson Remuera salesperson Cindy Jiang said: “I am fortunate to work at the Remuera branch alongside many experienced agents. Through their work, they have shown me that we do more than buy and sell houses: we help clients plan investments for their lives. Many clients have built lasting partnerships with us based on mutual trust, developing deep friendships. This is also a distinctive feature of Remuera. Through themed events like this, we are delighted to introduce kitchen products for the smart-home era, share food, encourage conversation and offer a taste of life in a welcoming, high-quality community.”
Perhaps no one can give a clear answer about what the kitchen of the future will look like. What will not change is that the kitchen is where families love to spend time, connect emotionally, and share food and love.