Italian Passion for Food and Design Invades Swedish Kitchens
Updated: August 4, 2025, 00:53 Published: April 11, 2025, 08:47
Swedes’ love for Italy and Italian cuisine is strong, especially when it comes to delicacies from the Emilia-Romagna province. The region has also shaped Smeg – which has carried its legacy of innovation and design into today’s and tomorrow’s kitchens.
In fierce competition, Emilia-Romagna is Italy’s largest gastronomic region. Here are about forty traditional products – including Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma and balsamic vinegar from Modena – protected by certifications that verify their origin and authenticity. Almost furthest north in the region, in the small town of Guastalla, is Smeg’s headquarters.
Vittorio Bertazzoni, who belongs to the third generation of the owning family, sees Smeg’s creation in this environment as anything but a coincidence. Nearby are cities like Parma, known for parmesan cheese, parma ham and tortellini.
“Our presence here is no coincidence. My parents and grandparents have their roots in this province and it is a central part of our identity. It is also here that we manufacture our own artisanal Parmigiano Reggiano on the family farm, Montecoppe.”
Thoughtful Design, Advanced Technology
From its start in 1948, the family-owned company has grown and developed to become one of the world’s largest in kitchen products and household appliances for daily use. The extensive product lines are a combination of design, performance and attention to detail that reflects the Italian heritage. A large part of the manufacturing also still takes place in Italy, which ensures that each product lives up to the high standard.
One of the smaller kitchen products, the characteristic citrus press, is a simple but strong tribute to Italian ingredients. Italy has a long tradition of citrus cultivation, especially in the southern parts of the country, where the climate is perfect for these fruits. Here are grown juicy and flavorful Arancia and Arancia Rossa, Clementina, Pompelmo, Mandarino – or in English: oranges and blood oranges, clementines, grapefruit and mandarins. The citrus press is developed to handle both large and small citrus fruits and to get out every last drop of freshly squeezed juice and bring in a ray of Mediterranean sun.
Even the larger appliances, such as hobs, ovens and stoves, are created to make cooking a pleasurable experience. Both technical details and unique design contribute to a premium experience. The choices are many and important. With series such as Classic, Colonial, Linea, Portofino and Victoria, appliances from Smeg fit into most types of kitchen environments, and are available in a wide selection of sizes, colors and functions.
For the truly culinary savvy, there are also multifunctional products such as Blast Chillers, which not only effectively cool down raw materials and dishes but also help to create the perfect sourdough or cook food at low temperatures. Smeg also has a range of wine coolers, for everything from 21 to 198 bottles, as well as sommelier drawers in wood for storing essential wine accessories.
Whether it’s about creating the perfect pasta dish, storing wine under optimal conditions or investing in a kitchen with technically advanced products, Smeg’s products reflect the Italian heritage – where passion, innovation, quality and design go hand in hand.
This article was produced in collaboration with Smeg.
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