Skip to main content

Want a kitchen appliance that’s more sous chef than sink? Meet Chef Center

You’re arguably just a home cook until your kitchen is outfitted with newest culinary products — only then can you aspire to be a home chef. Luxury kitchen appliance maker Franke showed off a series of its most impressive products at the 2017 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) last week, demonstrating its commitment to ingenuity, ease of use, and environmental awareness. But perhaps none were quite as impressive as the Chef Center, a sink that secretly wants to be your sous chef.

Featuring two versatile anti-microbial compartments that can either compost your waste or serve as a wine bucket, storage bin, or something else entirely, the Chef Center gives you a hand in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking to dispose of something or hold onto it for later use, the Center should have you covered.

Moreover, the command station comes with a whole host of custom accessories — your cutting board, colander, mobile drainer board, strainer basket, and more are all kept within this super sink.

“Our ingenious new Chef Center brings open-concept and multifunctional living to one of the most elemental aspects of the kitchen, reinventing how home owners use and think about their sinks,” said Gary Langbo, President of Franke Kitchen Systems. “We are thrilled that to introduce … a versatile sink system that not only enhances entertaining and minimizes stress, but offers a level of technological innovation that has distinguished Franke and its products for generations.”

While initially debuted last year, the Chef Center has finally become available nationwide, and is available exclusively at Franke retailers.

“The kitchen sink tends to be one of the most overlooked and underappreciated components of the kitchen, and yet it is absolutely essential,” said Fausto Samaniego, Senior Product Manager for Franke Kitchen Systems. “The Chef Center embodies Franke’s belief in the power of a beautifully-designed sink system to transform the sink into the heart of the kitchen, and the kitchen into the heart of the home.”

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Nest Doorbell vs. Ring Battery Doorbell Plus: which is the better video doorbell?
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus installed outside a front door.

Ring and Nest are responsible for some of the best video doorbells available. With easy-to-use smartphone apps, simple installation processes, and the ability to customize your motion alerts, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus and Nest Doorbell have quickly established themselves as two of the best video doorbells money can buy.

But what exactly is the difference between these two popular gadgets? And which is better for your smart home?

Read more
The best Apple HomeKit devices for 2023
A person unlocking the Aqara U100 smart lock with their phone.

While not as widespread as Google Home or Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit remains one of the most popular smart home ecosystems of 2023. The software plays well with iOS devices, and several other gadgets such as smart lights, smart locks, thermostats, and cameras can be controlled using the fancy technology. If you’re looking to build your smart home around Apple’s ecosystem, here are the best HomeKit devices available today.
Locks

HomeKit doesn’t have the largest selection of smart locks, but that doesn’t really matter when you have something as well-rounded as the Aqara Smart Lock U100. Not only does it offer full HomeKit support, but you’ll even gain access to Apple home keys -- allowing you to unlock your door with your iPhone or Apple Watch. There’s also the standard keypad for entering a passcode, along with a fingerprint sensor that can store several dozen fingerprints (so your whole family can enter the home without worrying about forgetting their password or smartphone).

Read more
Secure your home with Ring Floodlight Cam Plus and save $80
Ring Floodlight Camera placed on a wall outside.

Best Buy has one of the best security camera deals at the moment with $80 off the Ring Floodlight Cam Plus Outdoor Wired Surveillance Camera. Usually priced at $200, it's down to $120 for a limited time only so if you're fast enough, you'll save a lot of cash. If you're looking to secure your home, keep reading while we tell you all about the advantages this security camera offers.

Why you should buy the Ring Floodlight Cam Plus
Considered to be one of the best floodlight cameras for someone seeking a hard-wired solution, the Ring Floodlight Cam Plus Outdoor Wired Surveillance Camera is a highly effective home security measure.

Read more