NKBA and Monogram Host Designers and Foodies at Ferguson’s Brooklyn Showroom
As the sun dipped behind Manhattan last night, celebrity chef and two-time “Chopped” champion James Briscione cooked up beef short ribs and fresh gnocchi in a matter of minutes. His secret? Monogram’s Hearth Oven, which won over guests at last night’s National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) and Monogram joint event at the Ferguson showroom on the Brooklyn waterfront.
The exclusive cocktail reception and demonstration brought a sizable group of designers, manufacturers, and homeowners—many in the midst of renovations—to the riverside location. For some, it marked an introduction to the brand’s presence in the neighborhood. “I had no idea Ferguson had a showroom here,” said one attendee. Others commented on the variety of kitchen and bath products on display before Briscione’s cooking demonstration transformed the night into a culinary experience.
As guests gathered around the showroom’s kitchen with wine in hand, Briscione leaned on the Monogram Hearth Oven behind him—heated to 1,300 degrees—spotlighting its innovative safety features. Then he made a baked potato—but not just any baked potato—in just six minutes, and transformed it into pasta dough for brown butter gnocchi with shrimp and lemon. “We’ve cooked in every type of kitchen, using every appliance,” said Briscione alongside his partner in food and life, Brooke Parkhurst. “Throughout it all, Monogram has always been our favorite and our choice for our own home.”
The Hearth Oven is part of Monogram’s 2020 collection—GE Appliance’s high-end brand—which includes minimalist, chef-grade appliances. Last night’s event offered a preview of the oven’s many innovative features, such as its instantly programmable temperature, which eliminates the need to pre-heat.
As guests sampled the sous-vide-cooked short ribs, NKBA Creative Content Manager Dianne Pogoda noted the event’s success in bringing people together from different facets of the industry. “We want to connect NKBA with the broader interior design world, and here we’ve achieved that,” she said. Susan Cozzi, Senior Designer Engagement Leader for the East Region at GE Appliances, echoed her sentiment. “This event is really about driving forward ideas about wellness and health and the impact of design,” she said.
Interior Design’s Pamela McNally, EVP of digital, topped off the night with a presentation on digital trends, touching on the importance of brand authenticity in our tech-savvy world. “We can’t be fake,” McNally reminded everyone in the room. “The younger generations connect with brands, and if a brand is authentic, they want to buy from them.” Monogram’s Hearth Oven certainly succeeded in this, piquing the interest of the event’s attendees with every bite.
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