Philips Design and Arzak serve Multi-sensorial gastronomy on bone china

Philips Design and Spanish restaurant Arzak collaborate to create concepts for a dynamic, multi-sensorial eating experience.

Eindhoven/Madrid, the Netherlands/Spain – During the 8th international gastronomy summit, madridfusión, Arzak and Philips Design present a series of concepts intended not only to delight palates, but also evoke emotion and stimulate the senses. The latest project from the Philips Design Probes program is a multi-sensorial concept using an integration of sensory stimuli that subtly affect the dining experience of which light is the most visible component. The bone china series - Lunar Eclipse (bowl), Fama (long plate) and Tapa da Luz (serving plate) – is designed to react when food is placed on the plate or liquid is poured into the bowl.

Juan Mari Arzak and Elena Arzak, of the famous Arzak restaurant in Spain1, are pioneering innovators in molecular gastronomy, a cooking method that improves and creates new experiences in the cerebral and sensorial interpretation of food. Philips Design approached Arzak for a creative collaboration employing multi-sensorial gastronomy, design and technology to explore ways in which sensory experience can be enhanced during a meal.

Clive van Heerden, Senior Director Design-led innovation at Philips Design: “Sensorial design takes into account all the senses as well as the subliminal and indirect aspects of our relationship to objects and environments. Arzak’s knowledge of the Basque and Spanish cuisine and the in-depth understanding of guests’ needs made them the perfect partner for the project.”

Juan Mari Arzak, Chef of Arzak:”Molecular gastronomy has developed from a handful of exponents into a global phenomenon. It has led to the adaptation of scientific laboratory equipment and the invention of new kitchen technology, which makes it a small step to explore the presentation of dishes. The combination of our food creations on the multi-sensorial bone china concepts adds an extra dimension to the dining experience.”

For a visual presentation of Arzak’s special dishes that go with the plates:
- “Pomez stone the only stone that floats”
- “Totem and taboo of foie”
- “After the footsteps of the roe deer”

Please visit the Philips Design Probes site for more background information.

About Philips Design
Philips Design, with 8 branch studios in Europe, the USA and Asia Pacific, is one of the largest and longest-established design organizations of its kind in the world. Its creative force of some 500 professionals, representing more than 35 different nationalities, embraces disciplines as diverse as psychology, cultural sociology, anthropology and trend research in addition to the more 'conventional' design-related skills. The mission of these professionals is to create solutions that satisfy people's needs, empower them and make them happier, all of this without destroying the world in which we live. For more information, please visit: www.design.philips.com

About Arzak
Arzak, one the world’s best restaurant is based in San Sebastian in Spain
Juan Mari Arzak serves dishes to amaze and amuse the senses. His family have occupied the same site in San Sebastian since 1897, and it remains a family affair with his talented daughter Elena at his side now. Together they offer a modern interpretation of classic Basque cuisine. For more information, please visit: www.arzak.info

About madridfusión
Madrid fusion, theatre of ideas, is a three days culinary event in Madrid, Spain that peep into the future and main styles in haute cuisine and business models in which trends, creativity and talented new chefs will be present. For more information, please visit: www.madridfusion.net

For further information, please contact:
Femmy de Rijk
Philips Design / Communications
Tel: +31 6 25009463
E-mail: femmy.de.rijk@Philips.com

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs more than 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 23 billion in 2009, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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1 Arzak is number 8th on the list of world’s restaurants, source: The S. Pellegrino world’s best 50 restaurants