IRVINE, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2012) — With the help of interior designer and HGTV personality Candice Olson, Thermador (http://www.thermador.com) announced the grand prize winners of its prestigious Thermador Kitchen Design Challenge at its showroom in Irvine, Calif. On hand were eight contest finalists who already received $5,000 in cash each and an all-expense paid trip to Southern California for the week-long celebration. Two grand prize winners took home a total of $50,000 after being awarded an additional $20,000 each for their inspiring Thermador kitchen designs and two runners-ups were both awarded $10,000 — amounting to more than $100,000 in cash and prizes awarded throughout the contest.

“These are some of the brightest kitchen design professionals in the business, and seeing the amazing results from utilizing Thermador luxury appliances is incredibly inspiring,” said Zach Elkin, director, brand marketing of Thermador. “These designers know what culinary enthusiasts need and have created stunning, yet functional hubs of the home that beautifully showcase Thermador’s capabilities in the American kitchen.”

Grand Prize Winners:

Tamie Glass, Austin, Texas — Contemporary/Modern category (Tamie Glass, Inc.): Glass’ kitchen, the Ledge Mountain Residence in Austin, featured full overlay cabinetry that provided a natural fit for the Thermador Masterpiece Series while supporting the goal of incorporating a sleek and integrated appearance without sacrificing function and innovation.

Morgan Keister, Paradise Valley, Ariz. — Traditional/Transitional category (Morgan Kofron, LLC): Keister’s entry, from a residence in Paradise Valley, achieved the goal of creating an energetic center of the home — which also happened to be her own. Keister’s design was created to entice guests into instantly gravitating to the kitchen.

Runner-Up Winners:

Derek Byler, Hershey, Pa. — Contemporary/Modern category Heart of the Home Kitchens

Jennifer Rowe, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. — Traditional/Transitional category Kitchens Etc., LLC

To see each of the winners’ kitchens, visit: http://www.thermador.com/trade/kitchen-design-challenge.

The Thermador Kitchen Design Challenge invites professional kitchen designers, builders and architects to enter their most impressive kitchens equipped with Thermador appliances. The Challenge will take place again for 2012-2013.

About Thermador

Thermador has been providing real innovations for real cooks for more than 75 years. The iconic line of cooking, cleaning, refrigeration and ventilation products remains committed to empowering culinary enthusiasts to be their best through continuous innovation breakthroughs – from the world’s first wall ovens and gas cooktops with the patented Star® Burner to the first full-surface induction cooktop.

Thermador is part of BSH Home Appliances Corporation, a fully-owned subsidiary of Bosch and Siemens Home Appliance Group, the third largest appliance manufacturer in the world. For more information, visit www.thermador.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/thermador and @ThermadorHome, respectively. For Thermador customer service, call 1-800-735-4328.