My tactical briefing: calmness as a strategy

In the afternoon, hours before kick-off, the quiet preparations begin. My first move is to reach for the Multi Chopper – Parmesan, basil, oil: whilst my fresh pesto is whizzing away in the smaller MZ 600, the larger MZ 800 model whips up the coleslaw in seconds. Two appliances, two tasks, finished at the same time. In the past, I would have been cursing the knife by now.

Then comes the moment I used to dread most: cooking rice. When to start? How long? Too early, and it sticks. Too late, and the guests are waiting. This year, I simply pour the water and rice into the MRK 650 Multi Rice Cooker, select the automatic programme and set the start time – then forget about it. No checking, no stirring, no stress about timing. It cooks completely on its own, and the keep-warm function takes care of the rest. Just in time for dinner: perfectly fluffy. No sticking, no anxiety, no missed play.

My wingman for that extra crunch

What would a football night be without chips or crispy chicken wings? In the past: a baking tray, an oven, a moment of indecision. Now: the FRH 2650 double hot-air fryer. Chips on the left, chicken wings on the right – different programmes, no mixing of flavours. The sync function ensures that both fryers are ready at exactly the same time. I press the button, go outside, and I’m right there for the next attack. No waiting, no checking.

My one-two on the barbecue: prep first, then the finale

The star of the evening is the Barbecue Grill BBQ 4100/S – it shines not in spite of, but because of its dual role as playmaker. As early as the early afternoon, it takes on the heavy lifting on its sturdy grill caddy: under the closed lid, I pre-cook the larger cuts of meat slowly and gently, keeping a constant eye on the temperature gauge on the outside. The meat does its job, I do mine: relaxed watching instead of waiting by the grill.

Just in time for kick-off, I change tactics. In one swift movement, I take the barbecue out of the trolley and place it right in the middle of the garden table – right in the thick of the action. Lid off, temperature up, a quick, hot sear. The cast iron imprints its characteristic patterns into the meat, surrounded by cheers, comments and the first beer. I’m no longer standing at the hob. I’m sitting right in the thick of it, grilling and watching – all at the same time.

I take the rice straight out of the rice cooker, stir in the pesto and place the bowl on the table. Ready before the next corner is taken.

My trump card in injury time

Towards the end of the second half, when nerves are on edge, I play my last trump card – and it’s by far the least work. Hours earlier, I’d blended raspberries, honey and cream in the MX 1260 table blender to create a velvety base, poured the mixture into the freezer bowl for the IM 12 ice cream maker and left it to chill. No stirring by hand, no checking. Just in time for the final whistle, I serve freshly made, creamy raspberry ice cream. The perfect nightcap for heated tempers – to be honest, the only course of the evening for which I did absolutely nothing.

Final whistle: sustainability instead of food waste

The match is over, the atmosphere is fantastic – and, as always, there’s too much left over. Leftover pesto rice, marinated meat, a few side dishes. In the past: cling film, a guilty conscience, thrown away the day after tomorrow. Today, I reach for the VAC 25 hand vacuum sealer and the matching glass containers. Pop everything in, a brief hum – and hey presto, done. Cordless, one-handed, takes just a few seconds. The marinated meat stays fresh for much longer, and the flavours and quality are preserved.

And the next day? I don’t need a new appliance. The FRH 2650 restores the chips to full crunch at the touch of a button. The rice cooker gently and evenly reheats the pesto rice. My post-party lunch tastes just like the night before – only with less hassle.

My conclusion

I used to be more exhausted after an evening like that than the players on the pitch. Today, I’ve taken in every minute of the game, celebrated every goal, savoured every bite. ‘My Team’ from Rommelsbacher has got my back – from the multi chopper to the ice cream maker, from the preparation right through to the next lunch. This is hospitality in 2026.