Using the right kitchen appliances can significantly streamline the process of preparing quick and efficient meals, thus reducing time spent on cooking and therefore allowing for extra family bonding or preparing additional meals.
In the inaugural Smart Parenting Food Awards 2024, our team of Smart Parenting editors have meticulously curated a list of recommended food and kitchen essentials, voted on by the moms and dads from Smart Parenting Village, an online community of more than 100, 000 parents on Facebook.
For the kitchen tools category, Smart Parenting screened through must-have kitchen appliances for parents and essentials for making meal preparation quicker and more efficient. So if you're waiting for a sign to buy or upgrade a kitchen appliance, take this as one!
But first, view our list of winners and indulge your family in classic, compact, and convenient kitchen tools that work wonders in your kitchen and complement your busy schedule!
The winning appliances in the Smart Parenting Food Awards 2024 Kitchen Tools Category include:
Smart Parenting Food Awards 2024 Winners : Kitchen Tools
Rice cooker : Hanabishi Rice Cooker
Rice is a staple in every Filipino household. In this fast-paced era, we can no longer afford to disrupt our routines just to check on the cooking g of our rice. How convenient it is to prepare and wash the rice, close the lid, turn the power on, and let the rice cooker do its magic. No more checking when the rice comes to a boil to lower the heat or forgetting it altogether and getting a burnt rice for dinner.
A rice cooker is an affordable kitchen essential that helps parents multitask while having perfectly cooked rice in minutes.
Hanabishi Rice Cooker, in silver series, is available in 4 capacities (1.0 Liter, 1.4 Liter , 1.8 Liter, 2.8 Liter). This automatic rice cooker has a keep warm and steamer system. It has a glass cover for 1.0L capacity, a detachable power cord for easy cleaning, and is thermal-fuse protected.
Cherrie Julian, Smart Parenting asociate video director and mom of one, shares, "What I love about it is that it's budget-friendly and reliable! No frills!"
Available in Shopee and Lazada.
Microwave oven : American Home Microwave Oven
Reheating meals has never been easier thanks to a microwave oven. Strong and efficient, with mechanical control and metal body, the American Home Microwave Oven has 6 power levels to suit your heating needs, including a defrost function. Smart Parenting section editor, Judy Marie Santiago-Aladin swears by this brand for busy parents looking for a functional and budget-friendly microwave oven.
“An American Home microwave oven was one of our first purchases in our condo and it made reheating food so much easier. I recommended this brand to my family members who were looking for a trusty yet affordable microwave oven that does the job.”
Available in Shopee and Lazada.
Air fryer: Philips Air Fryer
Air fryers became part of the trend because of the introduction of healthy means to fry through rapid air technology without the use of unhealthy oils. Hypertension continues to contribute to the country's leading causes of death, and what better way to enjoy fried chicken again than without traditional frying.
Philips Air Fryer features a low-fat frying technology, with the ability to fry with up to 90% less fat. It also comes with access to the NutriU app, which offers tasty air fryer recipes to inspire and guide you to eat healthily. It makes switching to homemade meals easy and fuss-free.
The 4.1 liter capacity airfryer is ideal for everyday cooking such as frying, baking, grilling, roasting and even reheating. It has adjustable time and temperature control to suit your cooking needs. It is compact, convenient, and easy to clean. Smart Parenting Editor-in-Chief and mom of three Ronna Capili Bonifacio shares, "Ever since becoming a parent, I've always been a fan and advocate of cooking methods that don't require lots of supervision. For families like my own that does not have extra help around the house, investing in appliances you can pop food in and walk away from while it cooks is key to multitasking. Bonus points that the Philips Air Fryer makes allows for healthy food that's still crispy and crunchy, just the way my kids like their food!"
Available in Shopee and Lazada.
Oven: Kyowa Electric Oven
Oven-baked bread, vegetables, pasta, and fish is another way to eat healthy without adding extra oil to food. The Kyowa Electric Oven has a rotisserie function so you can roast your meals inside its durable stainless steel body. Its functionality includes a 60-minute timer with a cooking end signal, double glass window, and a rotary temperature and heat control switch (up to 230 °C). Smart Parenting contributing writer and mom of one Riyalyn Grace Pasimio says, “Every parent's dream is to have a functional electric oven in the kitchen. With an electric oven, preparing dishes is much more flexible and comes with different options.
"Kyowa Electric Oven has multi-function options, bake, roast, and toast. With its large cooking capacity (80 liters), there’s no need to cook in batches—faster cooking and energy-efficient! You can easily cook a whole roasted chicken for special occasions, or when you feel like serving a special dinner. It will be evenly cooked and much healthier than buying roasted chicken. The capacity will also allow you to include vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and corn along with your roast. A fast, yummy, healthy, and special dinner!
"Get ready to bake cookies and crinkles with little ones, experimenting with baked dishes like baked cheesy salmon with the Kyowa Electric Oven. The smell of freshly baked goodies will always be the best home fragrance!”
Available in Shopee and Lazada.
Oven toaster: Hanabishi Oven Toaster
Quick and easy breakfast toasts with peanut butter spread and sliced bananas on top or jam spread with sliced fruits and cream cheese are now made trouble-free through the use of an oven toaster. Homemade pizza slices, mini cakes, cookies, sandwiches, and roast veggies can be done in a matter of minutes.
The Hanabishi Oven Toaster has a 9-liter-capacity toaster with a 30-minute timer (with bell ring), including two quartz heating elements and a knob timer. It comes with a baking tray and wire rack to aid you in your baking and cooking needs.
"Our Hanabishi oven toaster is one of our most used kitchen appliances—I use it to heat bread, mini pizzas, and even some leftovers for my kids," Em Cruz, Smart Parenting section editor and mom of two shares.
Available in Shopee and Lazada.
Stay tuned for the announcement of Smart Parenting Food Awards 2024 winners in the other categories: baon and snacks, breakfast, ulam, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and baby, and celebrations.
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Produced by Em Cruz
Photographs by Paola Aseron
Styling by Lady Badoy
Other props provided by Beaba Philippines
Editor in Chief: Ronna Capili Bonifacio
Shoot assisted by Yuuki Dela Cruz, and Justine Renee Cruz
Video producer: Cherrie Julian
Videographers: Jino Del Mundo, Rolando Pingco Jr.
Editor: Rolando Pingco Jr.
Art Director: Stephanie Ocampo
Socials Media by Zen Arganda
Marketing Specialist: Marie Bilgera
Associate Publisher: Bettina Santos
Publisher: Iza Santos-Cuyos
