This year will be my first time at CES. Based off of what I’ve heard about the gigantic event, I’m expecting to discover new food tech startups, see new smart kitchen appliances in action, and get very sore feet.
I know at least one range of new products I’ll have to check out. Brooklyn-based smart kitchen company Gourmia just announced that it will be unveiling three new countertop appliances at CES: a 7-quart air fryer, which also functions as a rotisserie and dehyradrator; an 11-in-1 deluxe multicooker (similar to the Instant Pot); and a 10-cup coffee grinder and brewer.
All the devices are connected and can be controlled by the Gourmia mobile app, called Mia. They’re also compatible with Alexa or Google Home. Users can say either “Alexa, ask Mia,” or “Hey Google, ask Mia” to remotely manage cook times or change modes using their voice. The whole “asking a voice assistant to ask another service” thing is definitely annoying and might be more trouble than its worth when you could just do it on your phone, but hopefully Gourmia will find a way to get around it soon.
On the surface, none of these products seem particularly groundbreaking: after all, Gourmia’s lineup already features several IoT-enabled air fryers, multicookers and coffee grinder/brewers, which are already voice compatible. I’ll have to stop by their booth at CES to see if Gourmia’s newest appliances can sweep me off my (tired) feet.