mortiz putzier's cooking table rethinks the traditional kitchen

mortiz putzier’s cooking table rethinks the traditional kitchen
photo by caspar sessler

the landscape of the kitchen is changing, and with this, so are the appliances and tools we are using to prepare, cook and serve food. exploring the creativity and communication that goes into realizing a meal, was the starting point which moritz putizer took in developing his ‘cooking table’.

some of the preliminary questions the german designer asked himself were:
‘to what extent can we reduce to basics these days without moving backward? what would a kitchen scenario look like if we take away all fancy cooking tools and electrical equipment? what do we really need to create good food and dine all together with our friends or family?‘

‘cooking table’ functions as both a social space, food prep and serving area
photo by caspar sessler

rather than putting his focus on the food itself, putzier thought to transform the cooking experience, suggesting a kitchen condition that envisions food preparation and dining as a very social activity. thus, putzier’s design is at once a furniture piece, cooking appliance and social space, offering flexible interaction between these functions.

at the heart of the concept is the table, which historically forms the social centre of the kitchen, and general household. it is here where food is served and consumed, and conversation is had. simultaneously, the surface also has the capacity to act as a cooking zone. the table is composed of two parts which can be separated to accommodate movable gas burners which can be simply inserted along a hidden track on the underside, and where gas canisters can be attached. these modules can be moved easily by hand along the rail, from one side of the table to the other. this possibility offers a stove that turns into flexible cooking tools that can be adapted to individual needs in terms of cooking position, and number of integrated hobs. a circular ceramic bowl surrounding the gas burner while cooking serves as a pad and heat isolation.

some stools accompany the table which have an unusual geometry that allow for playful sitting or leaning
photo by caspar sessler

to accompany the ‘cooking table’ is a stool bench — a combination of slightly elevated stools and slim shaped seating pieces. their unusual geometry allow for a playful use of sitting or leaning. additionally an ensemble of three different sized ceramic containers build a link between the two activities of coking and eating. prepared foods can be poured or mixed inside the bowls being cooked or fried, but the sustenance can also be stored within; the lid of each bowl functioning also as a cutting board.

details of the cookware and utensil storage, as well as the rail in which the burner modules are attached
photos by caspar sessler

presented at imm cologne 2015, moritz putzier’s ‘cooking table’ won first prize in the pure talents contest, aimed at acknowledging the work of young students and recent graduates who have developed a product or system that addresses the area of interior innovation.

a ceramic bowl surrounds the burner to keep heat in
photo by caspar sessler