Kenwood Cooking Chef

[melam76]

Has anyone used or does anyone own a Kenwood Cooking Chef? I had the tm5 and didn't really like it so I sold it and want to get the cooking chef.... I wondering if anyone on here had any experience with one?

[judydawn]

There are some reviews here melam76 but I've not read where any of our Thermomix members have actually bought one.

What was it that you didn't like about the T5?

[melam76]

Hi Judydawn thanks for replying I didn't like the way it cut onions some big some small and some mush right near the blades, I didn't like that it didn't get hot enough to really cook the onions and could really smell the raw onion, I wasn't keen on the blades stirring even on reverse it had the ability to shred chicken, I used the butterfly with something and even though I checked it was locked in it still came off mid way through cooking, I cooked a curry and had to add cream at the end with some almond meal and because of the gentle stir to avoid mush it didn't take the cream or almond meal into the mix so I had to stir it in by hand to get it incorporated ... BUT it did beautiful custard :-) I understand the love people have for it but it just wasn't suited to me ..... from what I have seen I can do the curries and bolognese in the Kenwood without fear of the consistency being compromised as it has the stirring arm and the onions can either be chopped with the slicer or the continuous slicer or cubing attachments I want to get for it but I just wanted to know what other people thought before I took the plunge AGAIN lol

[Mama Fergie]

Do you mean the TM5 or TM31 Melamine? I find my TM31 blades chop evenly but do prefer to sauté my onions off in frypan. Find the stirring works well and evenly. I love my TM:1 and sorry to hear that you are not happy with yours.

[melam76]

Nah it was the tm5 mama fergie I only had it a month and only followed recipes and I'm afraid it got a thumbs down from me and yet my friend bought one at the same time and loves it horses for courses I guess ... and from what I can see the recipes will be easily converted from the thermo ones ... that's the thing all the recipes people post looked divine so hopefully I would be able to replicate them in the Kenwood

[judydawn]

It's a pity if you didn't try some of our tried and trusted recipes melam. So many with great reviews that you couldn't have gone wrong with.

[Jamberie]

Melam I seriously considered the Kenwood Cooking Chef before buying my TM31 two and a half years ago. A few of the reasons I chose the TM31 were:
*lots of extra attachments necessary (extra space and $$)
*if converting tmx recipes for the KCC, atachments/bowls needed to be changed for the same result (more dishes)
*not as many dedicated cookbooks
*not as much online support, this friendly and active forum was a big selling feature for me.
I do think a mixer does some things better than a tm31 (eg meringue, friands) but I use my kitchen aid for those when I'm being really fussy (maybe once per month).
I think the KCC is a very interesting product but I chose the TM31 as it suited my needs. I respect your decision either way,  each to their own

[achookwoman]

Melam, sorry the 5 didn't suit you. But I have to say you should have tried some on the recipes on the Forum.  They are well tested and written about.  I also don't like the ones that come with the machine. There are only 8 that I use and all of these I have changed slightly to suit our needs.  If you use the TMX recipes with a different machine,  they may not be any better.  Also the same applies for the Forum recipes as these are written for the 31 and 5.
Good luck and let us know how you go.  

[meganjane]

I agree with Chookie. This is my go to place for recipes for the TM, either 31 or 5.

[cookie1]

I appreciate that the thermomix doesn't suit everyone. Good on you for what you are doing. Please come back and let us know how things go with the Kenwood.

[Cornish Cream]

Sorry to hear you didn't like the Thermomix way of cooking melam76. A shame you didn't ask for help here from seasoned users maybe we could have guided you through the problems you encountered.Never mind.I wish you well in your future cooking adventures.

[melam76]

Thanks for all of your replies this really is a great forum and I hope I can stay being a now Kenwood owner lol yes I took the plunge and went and bought it today ... my mum is coming over from the UK soon so I am going to get her to bring a couple of attachments which are cheaper and currently unavailable here :-) with regard to the extra attachments I think I will prefer that to have specific things to do specific tasks and I don't think there would be any more washing up because of the attachments as quite a few of the thermo recipes you had to chop something then take out and put aside to be able to do the next part of the recipe so I reckon the dishes would be the same :-) as soon as I cook something in it I will write what I thought and obviously I am rather a tough critic lol :-)

[obbie]

what ever suits you, does the trick.
I have 2 different thermie machines, and am always looking for something else to buy.

You would think they would have all the attachments so you could buy them here. Crazy to have them in one country and not another.

[LillyPilly]

I found most of the KENWOOD Major accessories are available in Australia, even if the Delonghi website isn't clear about that. Just try a local rep. (There are only two in Toowoomba.) Unfortunately, we are expected to pay the 'Australia Tax', which means that even with shipping, it can work out cheaper to buy from the UK. Last thing I bought for the machine, I took in my iPad to the local Good Guys and showed them the price I could get it for, including shipping. They matched the price for me.

I toyed with the idea of replacing my 12 year old Major with the Cooking Chef, as I understand the accessories I have will fit. After much reading, I decided on the TM instead, partly because my vintage machine was made in the UK, while the new ones are Chinese. The other major factor was the very average (wimpy) blender that the Kenwood can run. LOVE the blending the TM can do, it's a beast! I'm happy to have both machines ☺️ .

Melam, I'm sure you will find all sorts of things you love about your Cooking Chef, and things you don't. I ignored the 'it does everything!' hype when I decided to get my lovely Thermie, because no machine does. Or I should say no one machine does everything well enough to satisfy me. Do report back on what you are doing with your CC, I'm sure I can't be the only person here who is curious to read a real, cook's review.

[cookie1]

I have a very old Kenwood. The poor old thing hardly gets used anymore. Possibly because it is kept in the cupboard. I use a small handbeater if I need one. When DD inherits it, it will be vintage.

Please let us know how the Kenwood performs.