Economies of scale, mass production and mechanisation have all made the unaffordable, mainstream. In the relentless striving for efficiency, the traditional ways fall out of favour and concept of exceptional quality is sometimes lost.

However, some are more interested in the quality of the end product and appreciate the skills that go into a handmade item or a rare breed nurtured for generations. We believe there is an argument for retaining these traditional proficiencies. We practise what we preach by blending mechanisation and laser cutting with hand checking, hand assembling and hand finishing in our factories, because it is the skills of our craftsmen that make an appliance a Gaggenau. Which is why we aim to support likeminded craftspeople and preserve their skills: they are Respected by Gaggenau.

Respected by, is our commitment to supporting like-minded artisans, who value quality above all else. From the farmers preserving rare breeds or growing heritage grains, to the craftspeople handmaking superb produce using ancient techniques: these are our peers.

James Feaver, English Truffle Co.

It was in the Black Forest, during a thunderstorm, that the Gaggenau marketing team first established the idea behind the Respected by concept.

“We were talking about where we came from as a brand and how we… could become a culture at the core of a community, reflecting the same values, the same essence and the same philosophy...” said Gaggenau’s Head of Global Brand, Sven Schnee.

“By focusing on the meaning of respect, the concept’s underlying message highlights the necessity of protecting, preserving and cultivating uniqueness.”

Encompassing a diverse range of elements, Respected by Gaggenau identifies various people, regions, cultures, animals, produce and crafts that, as Sven says, “reflect long-lasting relevance in terms of history, culture and mankind.”

The Respected magazine contains articles on rare breeds, black truffles, new wine regions, an interview with Sven Schnee of Gaggenau, Gaggenau’s ethos and a chef pursuing ‘farm to fork’ excellence. And it is available to download here.

The rare and the beautiful Kerry, Hinterwälder-Rind and Welsh Black are bovine breeds not ideal for large scale farming; they require too much space, time or nurturing. And because of this, they along with other heritage varieties have dwindled with some facing imminent extinction. If a heritage lineage goes extinct, any special attributes and genes it possesses will disappear forever. These all-important traits might help the preservation of other animals, such as building resistance to disease or thriving in harsh conditions.

The Welsh Black lineage is believed to date back to Roman times, these incredibly hardy cows are happy to graze in rain or snow, but just a few hundred survive today.

The fact that these extraordinary breeds can still be enjoyed today is thanks to the small collection of dedicated custodians who work hard to maintain the lineage of these heritage animals and who would like to see them survive and thrive into the future.

Respected by Gaggenau exists to support these committed producers as they work to preserve breeds, heritage grains, traditional techniques and hand crafts.