Tiramisù

Origin of the dishwasher

"If no one else is going to invent a dishwashing machine, I'll do it myself"

The dishwasher, which today seems indispensable in any kitchen, is a relatively recent invention. Its origins date back to 1886, when Josephine Cochrane, an American woman, tired of her dishes being damaged when washed by hand, decided that ‘if no one else was going to invent a dishwashing machine, she would do it herself’.The first dishwasher consisted of a copper kettle with a wheel with compartments to put the dishes inside. The wheel rotated while the soapy water came out under pressure, washing all the pieces. This first prototype could wash and dry up to 200 dishes in two minutes.Her invention was presented at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 and the first to include them in their kitchens were hotels and restaurants. Her machines were sold to prestigious hotels such as the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago.Josephine patented her ‘dish washing machine’ and founded her own company, the Garis-Cochran Dish-Washing Machine Company, which later became KitchenAid (owned by Whirlpool). Motivated by the desire to popularise her creation, she also developed a model adapted for domestic use just before her death in 1913. For decades, however, the dishwasher remained a professional product. It was not until the middle of the 20th century that, thanks to the increasing electrification of homes and the search for greater efficiency in domestic chores, its use spread to households.This development marked the beginning of a new era in kitchen design and in the evolution of household appliances as tools for optimising everyday life. We share the pursuit of what you believe in. The importance of taking the time to identify needs and solving them. The way to improve people's lives.  

Orfèvrerie Ercuis

Tradition and craftsmanship since 1867

The origins of Ercuis goldsmith's house date back to 1867, when Father Adrien Céleste Pillon, a parish priest in the village of Ercuis, 50km from Paris, founded a religious goldsmith business to make silver- and gold-plated pieces.To finance the business, Pillon set up a local newspaper, which he also used as a means of advertising his creations. However, the business was soon taken over by Léon Durand, the former production manager of the Clichy glassworks, who redirected it towards the art of the table. In 1880, they opened their first shop in Paris.In 1886, Ercuis goldsmiths signed an agreement with the producer George Maës, adopting his ‘poinçon carré’, the official contrast in France for silver-plated metal, represented by a centaur, which has become the symbol of the firm to this day. The Maës family spearheaded the growth and expansion of the house for three generations.Throughout the 20th century, the house gained prestige and recognition, participating in various Universal Exhibitions, equipping the great hotels of the Côte d'Azur, the Côte Basque and Paris such as the Pavillon Henri IV, and receiving important commissions such as the silver-plated pieces for the ocean liner ‘Le France’ or for the Orient Express.From 1980s onwards, the company became a public limited company and changed hands several times. Today, the brand is owned by the Italian group Sambonet. Ercuis hallmarksThe Ercuis pieces bear at least two hallmarks: the goldsmith's mark and the quality hallmark. - The goldsmith's mark is represented by the inscription ‘ERCUIS’.- The hallmark may be represented by the ‘poinçon carré’, the official French contrast for ‘metal argenté’, or by indicating the percentage of silver with each number in a square. The Ercuis ‘poinçon carré’ includes a centaur with the initials ‘OE’ identifying the house, and the indication of quality in Roman numerals: I or II, depending on the microns of silver in the piece. The high quality of the silver plating applied to their pieces makes them of superior value on the antique market.

Ancient Rome, Felipe V and the Roscón de Reyes

Origin of the Spanish Christmas sweet of Epiphany

Roscón de Reyes is a Spanish gastronomic tradition of this period of the year. It is common practice in all homes to eat Roscón on 6 January, the day on which the adoration of Jesus by the Three Wise Men is celebrated.  The origin of this tradition dates back to the Roman Saturnalia, festivities which were celebrated in Ancient Rome in honour of Saturn, God of agriculture, on the occasion of the onset of the winter solstice, which brought longer days and the end of the winter sowing season, which allowed slaves to rest for a few days. A public banquet was held and Roman citizens exchanged gifts.  Each year, a round cake was made with figs, dates and honey in which was hidden a fava bean, a symbol of prosperity, which gave the title of «King of Kings» to the slave who was given it, allowing him to be free during the Saturnalia.  In the 4th century, when Christianity became the official religion of the Empire, these festivals were gradually replaced by Christian celebrations. The tradition became less important except in France, where the Roi de Fave (King of the Bean) was celebrated. To celebrate Epiphany, each village gave a sweet bun to the poorest children and whoever found the bean received gifts and privileges. In the 18th century, Louis XV included a gold coin which meant that no one wanted the bean, and finding it was no longer a prize. It was Philip V who introduced this tradition in Spain, maintaining the duality between reward and punishment. Later the coin was replaced by a figurine and the person who found the bean had to pay for the roscón. We share the value of the tradition. The beauty of the customs makes us enjoy our time around the table.