Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Nicol Boyd and Tomas Rosén from the Office for Product Design join forces with Serafino Zani and produce a collection of kitchen containers made of stainless steel, enameled kitchen containers centered around the storage and use of key everyday cooking ingredients.
The designers wanted to create a range of beautiful, durable, and long-lasting kitchen essentials which could be used daily for many years.
The project has been awarded a 2020 Good Design Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The whole project started as a study of the humble Chinese cooking oil dispenser, with its characteristic stainless steel body, funnel top, and long, narrow pouring spout.
The research focus later broadened to include other essentials of Chinese cuisine and eventually got its final framing through the discovery of an old proverb from the Song dynasty, which lists seven necessities for cooking, namely: firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.
“It was remarkable that most of the ingredients mentioned remain as relevant today as they were almost a thousand years ago. With this in mind, we sought to address the storage of each in a modern context, “state Nicol Boyd and Tomas Rosén.
The collection consists of the containers below:
Rice Container: Holds rice, coarse cereals, etc., and keeps the ingredients fresh at all times. The bucket comes with a precision measuring cup, making it easy for you to measure out ingredients.
Oil Pourer: Holds peanut oil, sesame oil and other types of oil. Fitted with a fine filter screen, the pot can filter out impurities during filling. The thick-to-thin long spout increases space efficiency, making it easier for you to pick out the right amount.
Vinegar Pourer: Holds condiments like soy sauce and vinegar. The thick-to-thin long spout increases space efficiency, making it easier for you to pick out the right amount.
Salt Cellar Small: Holds seasonings such as pepper powder and raw flour, which are usually used in small amounts. Its large opening facilitates your access. It comes with a measuring spoon for your easy access.
Salt Cellar: Holds seasonings such as pepper powder and raw flour, which are usually used in a larger amount. Its large opening facilitates your access. It comes with a measuring spoon for easy access.
Tea Canister: Holds tea leaves, scented tea, etc. Protected by double lids inside and outside, it provides enhanced dust-proof and sealing performance and keeps the contents moisture-proof and dry. The canister comes with a teaspoon, making it easy for you to take out tea leaves.
Coffee Canister: Holds coffee powder, milk powder, etc. Protected with double lids inside and outside, it delivers strong dustproof and sealing performance and keeps the contents fresh at all times. It comes with a measuring spoon, making it easy to take out powders.
Project: Seven Necessities
Designers: Nicol Boyd and Tomas Rosén, Office for Product Design Ltd.
Manufacturers: Serafinozani International Limited
