Samsung Electronics Captures Ultra-Premium Features and Design with 'New Chef Collection' Refrigerator Launch

Lee Jae-seung, head of Samsung Electronics' Home Appliance Division, is introducing the 'New Chef Collection' refrigerator at the experience zone set up in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on the 2nd.

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Samsung Electronics announced on the 2nd that it has launched the 'New Chef Collection,' an ultra-premium refrigerator completely renewed from exterior to interior.

The New Chef Collection is the third product of Samsung Electronics' 'Project Prism,' which offers customized home appliances reflecting various consumers' lifestyles. Consumers can choose from a total of 150 combinations based on door panels (5 types), edge frames (2 types), Bespoke storage zones (5 types), and convenience features such as water purifiers (3 types).

Lee Jae-seung, Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics' Home Appliance Business Division, emphasized, "If the first result of Project Prism, the 'Bespoke' refrigerator, showed innovation in design and expandability, and the second product, the 'Grande AI' dryer and washer, was an innovation in experience based on artificial intelligence, the newly introduced New Chef Collection refrigerator expands the Bespoke concept from the exterior to the interior to provide a more evolved personalized experience."

◆ First global home appliance company collaboration with 'Decastelli'... Completing luxury design = The New Chef Collection collaborated with a European specialized company to complete a luxury design with a millennial sensibility. Five types of door panels are offered for consumers to choose according to their preferences.

The premium panel 'Mare Blue' was created in collaboration with 'Decastelli,' an Italian metal processing specialist company. Decastelli, a fourth-generation family business, is famous for collaborating with top brands such as luxury car brand Maserati and kitchen furniture brand Boffi. This is the first collaboration with a global home appliance company.

The Mare Blue color is inspired by the Venice sea in Italy, expressing dynamism and tranquility. Each product panel is handmade, making every panel unique. The Sera Black color is made from 100% natural ceramic from Valencia, Spain. Unlike the flat and monotonous black applied to existing home appliances, this panel provides a three-dimensional texture and weight from high-temperature refined ceramic. Additionally, panels such as 'Hond Navy,' 'Hond Beige,' and 'Hond Light Silver' offer a warm feeling by reducing the typical coldness of metal.

The New Chef Collection not only differentiates door panels but also enhances sturdiness by applying an 'Edge Frame' to the door corners. Consumers can choose between golden copper and dark chrome edge frames according to their preferences.

The New Chef Collection also applies new materials inside the refrigerator to achieve design differentiation. On the inner rear wall, which is the first thing visible when opening the refrigerator, a black glass material called 'Black Glass Mirror Wall' and 'Tunnel Lighting' that evenly illuminates the interior by connecting three sides inside the refrigerator are applied. This provides a luxurious look and a visual effect that makes the interior appear spacious.

◆ ‘Bespoke Storage Zones’ allowing free selection even inside = The New Chef Collection allows consumers to customize not only the door panels but also the internal storage structure according to stored food and lifestyle. The newly introduced 'Bespoke Storage Zone' proposes five specialized food storage spaces based on big data analysis of 1.95 million consumer food purchase patterns.

The Bespoke Storage Zone located at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment consists of ▲ 'Meat and Fish,' specialized for storing meat and fish ▲ 'Wine and Cheese,' equipped with accessories for storing wine and canned beverages ▲ 'Veggie and Fruit,' useful for storing fruits and vegetables ▲ 'Family and Cook,' optimized for ready meals (HMR) ▲ 'Health and Wellbeing,' convenient for storing health supplements or raw ingredients.

The bottom of the Bespoke Storage Zone is commonly equipped with the 'Chef Multi Pantry,' which allows individual adjustment of the left and right compartments from minus 1 degree to room temperature 13 degrees according to usage. The 'Custom Storage Room' at the lower right of the refrigerator can also be used as a freezer and can adjust the temperature for refrigeration, kimchi, or ice storage depending on the ingredients.

◆ Greatly expanded consumer-customized convenience features such as ‘Auto-fill Water Purifier’ = The New Chef Collection significantly expanded usability to match the ultra-premium refrigerator concept.

Considering consumers who use water purifiers, an 'Auto-fill Water Purifier' was installed in the refrigerator compartment. It features a 1.4-liter water tank that automatically refills the amount of water consumed using sensors. The freezer compartment is equipped with an 'Auto Dual Ice Maker,' providing basic ice suitable for cocktails and various beverages.

A 'Welcome Lighting' feature was added, which gently greets users with a soft blue light when a motion sensor detects a person approaching the refrigerator. The New Chef Collection is released with an energy efficiency rating of Grade 1 for all models, with capacities ranging from 900 to 930 liters depending on internal specifications. The product price ranges from 7.79 million to 12.49 million KRW depending on specifications, and accessory options for changing the Bespoke Storage Zone can be purchased separately for 100,000 to 300,000 KRW.

The division head said, "The New Chef Collection is the completion of a lifestyle-customized refrigerator and a product for consumers who want their own luxury refrigerator," adding, "We will strive to expand consumer-centered home appliances under the slogan 'Make appliances my own.'"