Time and again, individual member companies of Germany's major retail associations stand out as particularly innovative. EDEKA Ueltzhöfer from Heilbronn is one such example. In 2019 owner Steffen Ueltzhöfer won the nationwide EDEKA Supercup in the category "Independent retailer over 2,000 square metres". The successful businessman's latest retail venture is the modern event location "kUEchenwerk" at the headquarters in Sontheim. Describing the concept, Ueltzhöfer says "kUEchenwerk is the centre and the expression of our food philosophy, a place where people come together and a forum for exchange. The focus is on communicating our values." In addition, the company uses the premises as a kitchen for experimentation and production of its own brands made from regional products.

Scene change via an app and Bluetooth Low Energy
 

On the upper floor of the supermarket on an area of around 100 m2 there is a state-of-the-art, open kitchen, a well-stocked bar and a large rustic table for communal dining. And the change of scene from concentrated food preparation to relaxed enjoyment is effortless at the touch of a tablet or smartphone as BÄRO has equipped the room's suspended track system with Bluetooth Low Energy-enabled Ontero IC spotlights. They can be individually controlled and networked wirelessly via the Casambi app. This digital technology enables the lighting atmosphere to be adapted and varied to meet the requirements of different events – quickly and easily: from cooking classes, theme nights and tastings to dialogue with producers and training sessions.

Vertical light defines the room
 

The warm white light colour 830 used throughout is the creative template for the various components of the lighting concept. Groups of Ontero IC spotlights illuminate the kitchen block and the large table, while wallwashers from the same design line accentuate the boundaries of the room with vertical light. Individual dimming of the luminaire groups change the character and atmosphere of the room and put the focus on the different activities such as cooking or eating. The directional light shows the materials such as the light wood of the furniture or the bar in a natural stone look to best advantage. The black tracks and spotlights are unobtrusive on the black ceiling and with their clear design language they blend into the modern interior design of the event location.