By Matthew Henry

SYDNEY: Fisher & Paykel will tomorrow launch its first European range of premium cooking appliances from the newly-acquired Treviso facility near Venice, Italy, including a line-up of built-in ovens, cooktops and two new flagship freestanding cookers.

The products, which will be released rom now until August, feature contemporary European styling and will be endorsed by celebrity chef Tobie Puttock, head chef at Melbourne’s Fifteen restaurant, which is part of an international restaurant chain started by Jamie Oliver in the UK.

Called the Designer Series, the products have been built at the former Elba manufacturing facility which Fisher & Paykel bought from De’Longhi for $132 million in August last year.

“These new Designer Series ovens represent the start of a new era for fisher & Paykel cooking,” said Fisher & Paykel marketing manager, Peter Russell.

“The styling is simple yet very eye catching – the darkened glas, mirror-like reflective oven doors are triple glazed for efficiency, safe to the touch, easy to clean and look terrific contrasting against brushed stainless steel. Rounded knobs and touch controls give the range a modern look. Their appearance is unmistakably European.”

The first generation of built-in ovens will be followed by new releases to come later in the year including a pyrolytic built-in oven.

Fisher & Paykel’s two new freestanding cookers represent the first time the company has released a 900mm wide oven.

“By broadening our cooking range we aim to satisfy the growing customer demand for larger-sized, versatile cooking appliances. Beautifully styled freestanding models are growing in popularity here in Australia, with European design dictating trends both here and abroad,” said Russell.

“Fisher & Paykel is seriously taking on some of Europe’s premiere brands with highly sophisticated, attractive-looking cooking appliances hitting the market throughout 2007 and beyond.”

The range will be promoted through cooking demonstrations with Tobie Puttock, who will also appear in advertising and public relations campaigns for the brand.