A chubby meat thermometer made of silicon and a chopping board that aids in the disposal of food scraps are among the objects designed by Alain Gilles for new kitchenware brand Evolution.
The French brand, founded by Vincent Le Guern, aims to add innovative functionality to classic kitchen products.
Set to launch at this month's Maison&Objet trade fair in Paris, Evolution's first collection features a meat thermometer, chopping board, carafe and cake stand, all rendered in shapes the brand describes as "sensual and graphic".
Gilles' take on the meat thermometer — titled Hot Stuff — has a rounded, silicon-rimmed face. Its metal tip tucks into a matching heatproof silicon sheath.
"This meat thermometer really deserves not to be hidden away in a drawer," said Evolution. "It echoes the very archetype of this kind of product while bringing it right up to date, but with class."
The thermometer's simplified dial highlights ideal temperatures for various meats, and an external marker can be set to point to the desired temperature. It doubles as a stopper to keep the thermometer from rolling away.
Evolution's All on Board oak chopping board, meanwhile, features an attached plastic scoop designed to hold scraps discarded during food preparation.
The scoop has one narrowed, bottleneck-like end, meaning it can also be used to funnel food into a pot or to drain away excess juices.
The brand's Undercover carafe has a "second skin" around its tapered neck that acts as a grip for holding, while the Madame Is Served cake stand can separate into a plate and bowl for serving sauces.
The pieces are finished with plastic or silicon details in muted colours. Evolution also partnered with historic French cookware brand Mauviel 1830 to produce versions of three of the products with copper detailing.
The black silicon thermometer has copper edging around the dial, while the carafe and cake stand are available with either soft-touch plastic or copper details.
Gilles — who initially worked in finance before studying industrial design — opened his own studio in 2007. His recent work has included sound-absorbing screens for office acoustics specialists Buzzispace and an extendable table for Italian furniture brand Bonaldo.
His Evolution products will launch at Maison&Objet Paris, which runs from 20 to 24 January 2017. Also launching at the event is the latest offering from British designer Tom Dixon, whose new range of kitchen and bathroom products includes washing-up liquid.