To: Dr. Stice

From: Damaris Li

For this week’s exercise I chose to present the Thermomix, an unique kitchen machine manufactured by the German company Vorwerk. Thermomix has revolutionized the way of cooking in a modern household. It is called “the smallest kitchen worldwide’. Vorwerk launched this year the new model TM 5 with a lot of new digital features to guide people step by step through the recipe.

Description of the product

At the Thermomix Homepage https://thermomix.vorwerk.com/home/ the new Model TM 5 is featured in a short video. The Thermomix unites twelve different kitchen machines in one. It can: mix, blend, weigh, steam, stir, whip, emulsify, grind, controlled heating, cook, chop, and knead. At the page https://thermomix.vorwerk.com/thermomix/12-functions/ the 12 functions are described in more details. Vorwerk uses a partition pattern to present the diversity of its kitchen machine to the customer. Every function is described in short words and features a short video, which makes it easy to understand. Under the video clip it gives example how to use the function: ““You can mill flour from different grains, grind the perfect coffee, finely grate Parmesan and extract the fullest flavor by grinding your own herbs and spices.’

Benefits of the product

Under the page “your benefits’ the company lists the advantages of owning a Thermomix https://thermomix.vorwerk.com/thermomix/benefits/ . The site focuses on five advantages that are clear and neatly ordered. By clicking on one benefit the customer has the chance to learn more about improvement in daily live through the Thermomix. By using the problem-method-solution pattern Vorwerk presents its product as the solution to the problem https://thermomix.vorwerk.com/thermomix/benefits/fresh-delicious-healthy-food/ . For example, we are trying to eat fresh and healthy food, which can be a hassle, since we are very busy (problem): “We all know that cooking our own meals is a great way to ensure we’re eating more high-quality ingredients and fewer additives or preservatives […] it can be a struggle to find time to cook as well as we’d like.’ Vorwerk offers a method in using the Thermomix for cooking: “Thermomix ^® helps solve these problems by making great, fresh food fast and simple — especially through ingenious features like Guided Cooking that take the stress out of cooking […]’ and provides a solution to eat healthy through the worldwide recipe community: “We also bring you a world of amazing recipes that make it even easier to eat healthily.’

Ordering a product from the site

The Thermomix is sold through direct sales. During cooking parties the customers can experience the simple tasks it takes to cook and prepare food with a Thermomix. Customers can buy parts and cookbooks from the Vorwerk Shop: https://thermomix.vorwerk.com/world-of-thermomix/cookbooks/ . At the page they select a country of their choice to order a cookbook. Different countries offer specialty cookbook in their native language or English. I like to order my cook books from Australia since they have a variety of specialty cookbooks in English https://www.thermomix.com.au/cook-books/?model=TM31 . For the model TM 31 the cookbooks come in hard cover. (For the new model TM 5 customers can buy the recipe chip who connects to a digital interface on the Thermomix https://thermomix.vorwerk.de/rezepte-mehr/thermomix-rezept-chip/ . Currently the chip is available in Germany only.) For the hardcover books Vorwerk uses a chronological pattern. The books are organized alphabetical: “A quirky cooking’, “Additive alert’, “and A seafood bounty’ […] “Wholefood by Jude Blereeau’.

Vorwerk used different organizational pattern to highlight their product, give an excellent impression for interested people and easy access for information around the Thermomix and accessories.

~Damaris Li