The high-tech kitchen gadgets helping you cook more sustainably
With residents of The Edit set to enjoy the innovative kitchen appliances of V-ZUG, the company’s Head Chef shares how we can use technology to cut down on food waste
When it comes to how we live our daily lives, sustainable and healthy living have never been so important. YouGov data suggests 58% of Britons plan to minimise their household’s food waste. Meanwhile in the 2025 edition of Knight Frank’s The Wealth Report, the Next Generation Survey - a first-of-its-kind global study of wealthy 18- to 35-year-olds - reveals health as one of the top priorities across this influential age group.
London’s luxury residential developments are leading the way in a holistic approach to wellness, bringing together sustainable building practices, high-end facilities and a focus on connecting with the natural world. At The Edit, a boutique development by Mount Anvil providing 95 new homes in the dynamic South Bank district, this level of detail extends right down to equipment residents will cook with.
As part of a UK-first exclusive partnership, each apartment will be kitted out with luxury Swiss-made appliances from V-ZUG, a company that not only places a focus on sleek, minimalist design, but the sustainability of its products in both how they are made and how they can be used. “The Edit sets a new standard for curated, best-in-class living in the heart of the capital,” says Sophie Davies, Partner in Knight Frank’s London New Homes team. “Its partnership with V-ZUG only reinforces the values of quality, timeless design and emphasis on wellbeing that every resident will enjoy.”
The desire to care for the environment permeates through every element of V-ZUG’s approach, from manufacture through to the final product. Its production facilities have been carbon neutral since 2020, achieved through the pioneering vertical design of its factory in the Swiss town of Zug, to efficiencies in production and carbon offsetting initiatives. The products themselves have also been conceived with their lifelong impact in mind. Here an emphasis is placed on durability and repairability, backed up by a 10-year warranty on its products, along with prioritising low energy and water consumption use.
Importantly, they showcase how all of us can harness the use of technology to live more sustainably. We spoke to V-ZUG Head Chef Marco Macchi, who shares his top tips on how to minimise food waste and maximise the joy in an eco-friendly approach to cooking, and how future residents at The Edit can use their appliances to live more sustainably.
The beauty of cooking is that it gathers people together - it’s not just about feeding and nourishing you
Keep it simple
“I always recommend first to cook what excites you,” says Macchi. “The UK has some amazing produce to be inspired by. While none of us are perfect, keep in mind when shopping to buy local and what is in season where possible.” The Edit is within walking distance of the iconic Borough Market, London’s oldest food market, where you’ll find an incredible range of fresh ingredients from across the UK and beyond.
Preserve freshness
If looking to capture the flavour of these vegetables and fruits when they’re at their best, there are several ways to preserve ingredients. Making jams or pickling vegetables is a simple way to enjoy these year-round, with V-ZUG making the sterilisation and preserving process even easier with dedicated settings on its steam ovens.
Vacuum sealing can also extend the shelf life of meals when freezing compared with storing them in a standard plastic container. V-ZUG’s vacuum drawer can also be used to suction the air out of jars, meaning you can preserve for longer the oft-forgotten condiments that sit on the top shelf of the fridge. Meanwhile the refrigerators themselves utilise the latest technology to keep your food fresh for as long as possible, such as a 0°C zone that provides the ideal climate to double the storage time of fresh vegetables, salad and herbs.
Use every part of the ingredient
Dehydrating food in the oven can be an excellent way to repurpose parts of fruit and vegetables you may not otherwise want to cook with. “For example, you could take parsley stems or other discarded parts of root vegetables, and using the ‘desiccate’ function on our steam ovens these can be dried out. Blend into a powder and you have a delicious bouillon/stock powder,” he says. “Or if you have leftover citrus peel, try blending that with a little fennel or some spices for a homemade herbal tea.”
Give leftovers a new life
One of the best ways to cut down on excess food consumption is to make the most of the meals we already have. All of us have the best intentions of using up our leftovers, but the reality of a reheated meal is often disappointing. “You go to heat up a meal and it sticks to the pan, or you have to add more water, and the flavour is not there anymore. We all want to eat great tasting food, and being able to use technology to cut food waste is so incredibly useful.” Features such as V-ZUG’s ‘Regeneration’ function use a carefully calibrated combination of hot air and steam to give precooked food a new life. “It brings second-day pizza back to new – as an Italian I was sceptical, but it comes out perfectly.”
Plan meals the family will enjoy
Macchi recommends building up a bank of recipes that all the family enjoy and can share in creating. “The beauty of cooking is that it gathers people together - it’s not just about feeding and nourishing you. There are so many special memories you can create by getting the whole family involved,” he says. There are numerous ways technology can help, with V-ZUG ovens coming with customisable presets to ensure your favourites are perfectly prepared every time.
