CaesarStone, global icon for quartz products, invited South African kitchen designers to showcase completed kitchens they were commissioned to design. The CaesarStone prerequisite was that its product had to feature in the design but no percentage allocation was stipulated.

CaesarStone made history by harnessing the extraordinary physical properties of quartz, one of nature’s strongest minerals to a unique aesthetic vision and created the world’s first original quartz surface. These high-tech quartz surfaces offer ideal solutions for kitchen counters; bathroom vanity tops; flooring; wall panelling; and so much more. CaesarStone’s stylish, quality quartz surfaces represent the ultimate combination of style; form; and function.

The judging of the first CaesarStone Kitchen Competition took place on 4 March 2010. A record number of entries were received, which made the judging process an arduous yet challenging process for the judges.

For this, the first Kitchen Award, the panel of judges comprised of
Darren Bester of It Is Design; and
Elloise Rudman of Sharson Contractors.

The prize for the winner and the CaesarStone consultant from the winning region is an all expenses paid trip to the 2010 Eurocucina Kitchen Fair in Milan. The prize includes return flights; accommodation; entry to Eurocucina; spending money; and a two-day visit to Rome, valued at R 30 000 each.

The winner of the first CaesarStone Kitchen Competition is:

Philip Richards of Blu-Line Living in Gauteng with Malissa Barnard the CaesarStone consultant.

Darren Bester of It Is Design comments:
"Firstly, I would like to congratulate all the entries; it was a tough and long process to narrow down the top ten finalists for the competition. It showed that the level of entries for the first year of this competition was of a high standard, showcasing some exciting new designs within our industry. This being said, it is sometimes easy to be seduced by aesthetics alone, and as judges we felt that the final winning design reflected all the aspects of a well-conceived and well-executed design. In today's modern living environment of limited space, function plays a key role. The winning design not only encompassed the functionality of a small kitchen but also was aesthetically pleasing and carefully detailed. The zoning of the kitchen into key areas and the designer's philosophical approach of 'relational living' was well conceived and clearly set the design apart. Utility areas were clearly defined and consumable areas cleverly hidden. This simple, yet sophisticated kitchen is 'high' design, of an international standard, yet it successfully fits within an African context. Although, the combination of materials such as timber and natural stone cladding contrast with the black gloss lacquered doors, they all work together to enhance the natural beauties of CaesarStone and create a harmonious environment, which interacts well with the surrounding living spaces. This well presented entry is a worthy winner of the first ever CaesarStone Kitchen competition and we look forward to seeing what our industry can produce for next year's entries."

The second prize of R 5 000 was awarded to Mariaan Van Zyl of Alpine German Kitchens in Cape Town, the CaesarStone representative being Chantelle Grobbelaar.

Trevor King, Market Development Manager, enthuses: "CaesarStone stands at the very forefront of industry development and our South African kitchen designers partner us in influencing; innovating; and inspiring iconic kitchens that command their pride of place anywhere in the world."

The second CaesarStone Kitchen Competition is due to be launched shortly.

For further information, contact the Facilitator Office, Emporio Communications, 011 485-2680/1 or email [email protected].