BCC Innovation Collaborates with 30 External Chefs on the Development of New Ikore Ovens with Fagor Professional
In a pioneering project, BCC Innovation, part of the Basque Culinary Center, joined forces with FBasque Culinary Center to launch the new Ikore ovens—specifically designed to address the daily challenges of modern chefs while prioritizing sustainability and energy efficiency. This chef-driven development involved insights from 30 chefs representing various sectors, including high-end restaurants and large-scale catering, making the project a unique collaborative effort in advancing kitchen technology.
At the LABe Digital Gastronomy Lab, the Ikore ovens underwent extensive testing to ensure that usability, functionality, and cooking quality matched the real demands of the culinary world. Through rigorous trial sessions, chefs provided essential input on user interface, temperature control, and multi-functionality, directly shaping the ovens’ design to fit the needs of fast-paced, efficiency-focused kitchens.
Chef-Driven Design and Practical Enhancements
The chefs’ feedback was essential in refining the Ikore ovens’ user interface and cooking features. From feedback on precise temperature adjustments to recommendations on oven ergonomics, every detail was designed with chefs in mind. According to Fernando Palacio, research chef at BCC Innovation, “The collaboration allowed us to bring practical, hands-on insights from chefs into every stage of design. Their expertise helped us create an oven that feels intuitive and responsive in a high-stress kitchen environment.”
Sustainability Meets Culinary Innovation
In line with global kitchen trends, the Ikore ovens are equipped with advanced energy-saving technologies, enabling chefs to reduce energy consumption without compromising performance. Not only does this lower operational costs, but it also aligns with the eco-conscious values many chefs now hold. The design team prioritized sustainability throughout, with features such as smart power modes and optimized heat distribution to achieve excellent cooking results with minimal energy.
Scientific Validation and Culinary Precision
BCC Innovation complemented the chefs’ feedback with a comprehensive physical-chemical analysis, studying how the oven’s heat transfer and airflow impacted food texture, flavor, and nutritional quality. This scientific approach ensured that the ovens would consistently produce high-quality results. Jonan Eskibel, chief engineer at Ikore, emphasized that the development process “merged scientific rigor with chef expertise, balancing lab precision with practical kitchen needs.”
The Ikore project marks a forward-thinking partnership between BCC Innovation and Fagor, creating a next-generation oven that harmonizes technical excellence with culinary creativity. For chefs passionate about innovation, the Ikore oven is more than just a piece of equipment—it’s a tool that reflects the evolving landscape of professional cooking, sustainability, and technology.
The partnership between BCC Innovation and Fagor is set to create a new generation of smart ovens that harmonize scientific rigor with culinary creativity. By leveraging the expertise of external chefs, this innovative collaboration has the potential to transform the culinary experience, delivering a product that is efficient, user-friendly, and aligned with the latest trends in sustainability and technology in the kitchen.
