When it comes to appliance rivalries Tefal is relishing its new position as the young upstart taking on the category giant Thermomix.

After it was made public last week that the kitchen at the Governor General’s residence want a Thermomix, Tefal jumped in with a marketing stunt, cheekily offering Sir Peter Cosgrove a Cuisine Companion as a gift.

“We heard about your kitchen upgrade and know how expensive they can be. To help, we would love to contribute our brand new all-in-one kitchen wonder machine, the Tefal Cuisine Companion free of charge…” Tefal wrote on a post on its Facebook page. Many in the comments section have been quick to point out that they’d also like a free RRP $1,699 multicooker.

Tefal's open letter, clcik to enlarge
Tefal’s open letter, clcik to enlarge

Meanwhile in Canberra…

It takes a highly skilled electrical retailer to walk the fine line between explaining complex product features while neither patronising or bewildering consumers. Last week during a Senate estimates hearing concerning the Governor General’s kitchen request it was left to politicians to explain the intricacies of a very expensive cooking machine. Here’s the transcript or you can listen to the amusing exchange here.

Official secretary to the Governor-General Mark Fraser: We have issued a tender for kitchen equipment.

Labor Senator Joe Ludwig: And you’re seeking four stick blenders, two food processers, a — and you’re going to have to help me with this — a Thermomix.

I don’t know what a Thermomix is.

Liberal party senator Cory Bernardi: Oh, where have you been?

Joe Ludwig: Queensland.

A KitchenAid mixer, an upright freezer, a deep-fryer, a pasta machine.

That’s a healthy diet.

And what’s a Thermomix?

Mark Fraser: I don’t know what a Thermomix Senator is.

Joe Ludwig: Ah, so chair. There’s a couple of us who don’t know what a Thermomix is.

Cory Bernardi: It’s an all-encompassing food processing – very popular among the home master chefs of today.

Joe Ludwig: Is that the elite trendies that use that, are they?

Cory Bernardi: In Queensland you may refer to them as that, Senator. I just refer to them as those who have a particular interest in cooking.