By Aimee Chanthadavong

Smeg and Melbourne retailer E&S Trading dressed up in Mafioso gear and uncorked the champagne this week to celebrate a successful 12 months of trading.

This event gave visiting Smeg CEO Vittorio Bertazzoni the chance to socialise with the staff at one the company’s most important retail partners.

Bertazzoni joined E&S Trading co-managing director Rob Sinclair and store sales staff and Smeg staff at the Italian-themed cocktail night.

“Smeg opened the doors of their showroom last Monday evening for the Annual Gala Cocktail Night for E&S Trading,” said an E&S Trading spokesperson. “With a record number of 100-plus attendees from both E&S and Smeg, it was such an amazing and lively turnout!”

“The Italian themed event was nothing short of spectacular from its authentic Italian cuisine to sipping Aperol Spritz to Sicilian Mafia rocking up, and of course having the owner of Smeg, Vittorio Bertazzoni himself show up for the function.”

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Smeg national training manager Matthew Ahern was equally effusive.

“We enjoy a very good relationship with E&S Trading as they are one of our key trading partners and a member of the Narta group. Along with that, we provide training to them to drive our brand in-store by their team and it was a chance for us to reward them,” said Ahern.

“It was also a good opportunity to really show E&S Trading everything we do.”

The event also coincided with the launch of Smeg’s more sophisticated, Smart range of built-in ovens, semi-pro dishwashers, FAB fridges and the Victoria range of upright cookers.

“Enjoying new technology goes along with the Smeg DNA which is made up of design, new technology and aspiration. We’ve covered all three with this new range to make sure we keep true to our essence that it’s always about cooking.”

Smeg CEO Vittorio Bertazzoni sharing a joke with E&S Trading co-MD Rob Sinclair (from the E&S Blog, used with permission)

Smeg’s kitchen appliances are also a feature of Winning Appliances’ new showroom in Redfern. Ahern said it was thrilling to see Winning Appliances take a different approach to consumer engagement.

“I thought it was amazing and was thrilled by the position we have, which is a front window, presence meaning people passing by will also see it. We also have a live cooking area within our own display and we’ll be able to use our own team and specialist chefs,” he said.

“I love the fact we have twin island benches, which mean we can engage with lots of people at the one time.”