Seeing (and Tasting) is Believing

Chefs prepared an exquisite three-course meal utilizing appliances from the Monogram 2020 collections. Aitoro Appliance invited local designers to see the new collections — and to taste the delectable fare they can create.

Charming antique china, vintage silver and creamy white calla lilies adorned a long dining table that featured an impressive menu: seared yellowtail tuna on mustard greens, filet and scallops with pepita-topped sweet potatoes, and yuzu citrus cake with mandarin and raspberries.

This wasn’t the scene at a swanky restaurant or a black-tie gala, but rather an intimate evening inside Aitoro Appliance in Norwalk, Conn. The family-owned business partnered with Monogram and Serendipity Magazine to host an exclusive dinner for area designers to experience the new Monogram 2020 collections in Aitoro’s Monogram Design Center.

Guests enjoyed a networking cocktail party, a tour and information about the new Monogram collections followed by a three-course dinner prepared by chefs Jay Leblanc and Susanne Berne. The design center’s state-of-the-art open kitchen allowed attendees to watch the chefs craft exquisite dishes using appliances such as Monogram’s Smart Hearth Oven and Professional Range with Grill.

“There is nothing better than not only seeing what the appliances look like, but also seeing how they perform,” says Ria Rueda, manager of the Monogram Design Center. “This event also allowed our guests to use their taste buds and experience what was prepared firsthand.”

The culinary experience began with hors d’oeuvres including roasted oysters and glazed salmon over seaweed salad, both prepared in the Hearth Oven, along with shiso chicken yakitori skewers and seared Ahi tostada with orange and grapefruit, both prepared on the grill of the pro range.

After the cocktail party, guests proceeded to the dining area for three courses paired with fine wines from Connecticut-based and family-operated distributor Votto Vines. The gourmet fare and perfectly paired wine exemplified superb taste, yet the evening had a fun, relaxed, modern vibe — an appropriate backdrop to introduce the new Monogram line.

“Some of the designers were not familiar with Monogram whilst others needed to see how the brand has evolved. As a luxury brand, we wanted to convey the message that Monogram is anything but ordinary,” says Rueda. “From elegant styling and purposeful design to performance and wi-fi connectivity, the Monogram brand continuously raises the bar for sophisticated luxury appliances.”